Gonzales v. Oregon
A group of Oregon residents, including a doctor, a pharmacist, and several terminally ill patients, sued the United States Attorney General to challenge an interpretive ruling of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The rule, referred to as the “Ashcroft Directive,” declared that the use of federally controlled substances to assist someone commit suicide violates the CSA, and that assisting with a suicide was not a "legitimate medical purpose." This ruling placed the CSA in direct conflict with Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act, which allows physicians to prescribe medication to end the life of a terminally ill patient.
Pursuant to the CSA, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals had original jurisdiction to review final determinations made by the Attorney General under the act. The court ruled that the Ashcroft Directive was unenforceable because Congress had not clearly authorized the Attorney General to determine the legitimacy of a medical purpose under the CSA; instead, the CSA authorizes the principal health agency of the federal government to make medical decisions under the act.
Question Presented:
Whether the Attorney General has permissibly construed the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. ยง 801 et seq., and its implementing regulations to
prohibit the distribution of federally controlled substances for the purpose of facilitating an individual’s suicide, regardless of state law purporting to authorize such distribution?
