In national news with local relevance, the Supreme Court ruled today that the federal government has the power to prosecute medical users of marijuana, even in states who have passed laws allowing the use of the drug under certain circumstances. Eleven states currently allow the use of marijuana if prescribed by a doctor — among those Montana, Oregon, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii and five others — a state of affairs that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals deemed acceptable in 2002, provided the drug was not taken across state borders and used only for medicinal purposes.

Voters in the District overwhelmingly supported a medical marijuana initiative in 1998 — 69 percent sided with Initiative 59 — but the results of the election were impounded for close to a year as members of Congress amended the District’s 1999 budget to forbid the use of public funds to count the votes. After a court allowed the results to be published, Congress, spearheaded by then-Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.), again amended the District’s budget legislation to prohibit the implementation of the medical marijuana initiative. Citing excessive interference in District affairs, President Bill Clinton twice vetoed the legislation, but it was signed, Barr’s prohibition and all, the third time around.

>> SFist on the ruling