Cannabis laws need revision

The order will not affect recreational stoners or closet cultivators, but it does affect the state's sickest residents.

Four years ago, California voters passed Proposition 215, which allowed the use of marijuana for medical purposes. With a doctor's authorization, patients could legally grow and use marijuana as a pain reliever -- at least in theory.

Since the passage of Proposition 215, a cat-and-mouse game emerged between law enforcement and users.

While California had one law on the books, police followed the federal law, which does not recognize any legal use for marijuana.

Users obtained medical authorizations and cannabis clubs formed to supply people with cancer and AIDS with the drug, yet they were still being arrested.

The emergency order, upholding a federal judge's ruling, temporarily voids the medical marijuana initiative.

California's drug policies now fall in line with the federal government, but thousands will suffer as a result.

Patients who use marijuana for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma or other serious ailments now face a dilemma.

They can continue to use marijuana and risk arrest, go without the drug and deal with the agonizing effects of their diseases, or use conventional prescription drugs and pay dearly to do so.

The Supreme Court is expected to fully review the case, and a ruling would also affect California and seven other states that also passed medical marijuana laws.

The outlook might not be favorable. After all, the Supreme Court decided 7 to 1 to issue the emergency order.

Justice Stephen Breyer stayed out of the matter because his brother is the federal judge who blocked  implementation of Proposition 215.

Even if the Supreme Court voids any medical marijuana initiatives by states -- likely ruling them unconstitutional because the federal government formulates drug policies -- people will continue to flout the laws.

Also, the University of California will begin a cannabis study center to examine the medicinal powers of marijuana.

Debate regarding drug policies will grow louder. Day by day, more people realize that the "war on drugs" is failing, and this is weakening government dogma.