Federal Ban On Medical Marijuana Challenged OAKLAND, CA (Associated Press) - New medical evidence is cited in a lawsuit against the federal government over its ban on medical marijuana.

Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco reported that a test involving 50 H-I-V patients showed that those who smoked pot had much less pain than those given placebos.

That research is cited in a lawsuit filed yesterday that says the government is arbitrarily denying sick and dying people medical relief.

The federal government says there are no acceptable medical uses for marijuana. Eleven states, including California, have made marijuana legal for people with a doctor's recommendation, leaving patients open to arrest by federal authorities.

The lawsuit was filed in California by Americans for Safe Access. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press