October Term 2000 · Docket 00-151
Does federal law allow medical marijuana use?
The dispute centers on whether federal law permits a cooperative to distribute marijuana for medical purposes.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Underwood stated the Controlled Substances Act prohibits distribution. She cited congressional and executive determinations against medical use. She noted the drug has high abuse potential.
Mr. Uelmen argued the government made a tactical choice. He said they sought injunctive relief instead of criminal prosecution. He claimed this deprived the opposing sides of a jury trial.
Chief Justice Rehnquist thanked General Underwood. He stated the case was submitted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 37-39
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The government seeks to stop the cooperative from distributing marijuana. The cooperative wants to continue its operations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
The government wants a court order to stop the cooperative from distributing marijuana.
The cooperative wants to continue distributing marijuana for medical use.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What each side says
The government argues federal law bans distribution because officials found no accepted medical use.
The cooperative argues the government's choice of legal action denied them a jury trial.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 37-39
Why it matters
This case determines if federal law blocks medical marijuana distribution. It defines the scope of federal control over drug use. It impacts patient access to specific treatments. It clarifies the limits of federal enforcement power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 37-39
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-19 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-19
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.