Amicus Briefs For Supreme Court Petition

Sign the agreement The Concept of Legal Procedure and Litigation.

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION APPEAL RECEIVES UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT WITH THE FILING OF NINE AMICUS BRIEFS

Press Release
Hiller, PC
641 Lexington Avenue, 29th Floor
New York, New York 10022
www.hillerpc.com

For Immediate Release

The plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit seeking to declare the federal law that criminalizes marijuana unconstitutional have received an enormous boost. A total of nine (9) amicus briefs have been filed in support of the plaintiffs’ appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington v. Barr. Among those who have submitted amicus briefs are seven members of Congress, including Earl Blumenhauer, Barbara Lee, Jamie Raskin, and Tulsi Gabbard; 19 major organizations; and two eminent cannabis researchers and scientists (see attached and below). “The organizations and individuals filing amicus briefs and the lawyers who drafted them are an all-star roster for the legalization movement,” said Fatima Afia, an Associate at Hiller, PC, pro bono co-counsel for the plaintiffs in Washington v. Barr. “We couldn’t be more pleased and honored to have their support.”

According to the CATO Institute, “among the thousands of [cert] petitions [filed each year] only a few receive support from amici.” As computed by the SCOTUS Blog, just eight cases since 2008 have inspired as many amicus brief as this appeal. Michael Hiller, lead pro bono counsel for the Washington v. Barr plaintiffs, offered an explanation for why this appeal has generated so much interest: “The briefs filed in support of our appeal are representative of what can only be described as national recognition, including by the federal government itself, that cannabis is safe and medically effective. Criminalizing cannabis under the pretext that it has no medical utility and is too dangerous to be administered even under strict medical supervision is not just absurd; it’s unconstitutionally irrational. The federal government owns at least two medical cannabis patents, distributes cannabis to patients around the Country under the auspices of the FDA’s Investigational New Drug Program, has acquiesced to legalization-programs in 38 U.S. States and Territories (70% of the Country), and has approved at least one medical cannabis drug (Epidiolex) for distribution to children without a prescription. Yet the federal government maintains that cannabis is as dangerous as heroin, has no medical uses in the U.S. and is too dangerous to administer – claims which do not square with reality and which place millions of Americans, and billions in investment capital, at risk.”

When asked why his clients weren’t satisfied with waiting for a legislative solution, Hiller’s answer came swiftly – “Congress passed a law that, on a daily basis, infringes upon the rights of Americans to treat with a lifesaving medication, and which has been used as a pretext to arrest and incarcerate persons of color. The remedy for this recurring and pervasive violation of the Constitution lies not with the legislative body that created the problem, but rather with the U.S. Supreme Court, the guardian of America’s constitutional rights.”

A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is expected during this 2020-21.

Term.Contact: Liz Blaz 719.207.2634 lblaz@hillerpc.com

United States Representatives

Athletes For Care, After the Impact Fund, Canna Research Foundation, NFL Sisters in Service, Inc., and Isiah International, LLC

International Cannabis Bar Association

National Cannabis Industry Association and the Arcview Group

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New York City Cannabis Industry Association, Hudson Valley Cannabis Industry Association, and New York Cannabis Bar

Americans For Safe Access

CReDO Science, The American Journal of Endocannabinoid Medicine, Ethan Russo, M.D., and Jahan Marcu, Ph.D.

Last Prisoner Project

Minority Cannabis Business Association and Minorities for Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Articles


U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer: Blumenauer Calls on Supreme Court to Review Historic Appeal Challenging the Constitutionality of Federal Criminalization of Cannabis – Press Release, October 5, 2020

The Weed Blog: Federal Cannabis Lawsuit Appeal Receives Unprecedented Support by Leah Maurer, September 29, 2020

Harris|Bricken: Cannabis Litigation: Will the Supreme Court Hear the Litigation to De- or Re-schedule Marijuana? by Jesse Mondry, August 21, 2020

Marijuana Moment: Congressional Lawmakers Ask Supreme Court To Hear Marijuana Lawsuit Against DEA by Kyle Jaeger, September 16, 2020

Ganjapreneur: Multiple cannabis advocacy groups and industry organizations have filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a potential Supreme Court case challenging the constitutionality of cannabis prohibition by TG Branfalt, September 16, 2020

Law & Crime: Supreme Court Brief: Prohibition of Marijuana Is Unconstitutional Due to Feds’ Own Statements and Actions by Colin Kalmbacher, September 16, 2020

Law Street Media: Amicus Briefs Filed in Medical Marijuana Decriminalization Case by Christina Tabacco, September 16, 2020

NORML: NORML Files Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court Challenging Cannabis’ Schedule I Prohibited Status Under Federal Law by Paul Armentano, Deputy Director, September 15, 2020

PotNetwork: Athletes, veterans, mothers, and more join growing list of people filing briefs in support of Washington v. Barr by B.A. Dorfman, September 15, 2020

EIN Presswire: ASA Files Amicus Brief to Highlight Plight of Medical Cannabis Patients by Reenal Doshi, Americans for Safe Access, September 14, 2020

Wilson Elser: Cannabis and Appellate Law Practices Collaborate to Prepare Amicus Brief to U.S. Supreme Court in Challenge to Marijuana’s Schedule I Status by Melissa A. Murphy-Petros, Ian A. Stewart, Neil M. Willner, September 14, 2020