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The Commerce Clause, The Preposition, And The Rational Basis Test, James M. Mcgoldrick Jr.
The Commerce Clause, The Preposition, And The Rational Basis Test, James M. Mcgoldrick Jr.
University of Massachusetts Law Review
In Gonzales v. Raich, the United States Supreme Court upheld the application of the federal Controlled Substances Act to bar the use of state-grown marijuana for instate personal medical use. In so doing, the Court ratified the expansion of Congress’ commerce power beyond any known limits. It abandoned the “substantial effects” test that it had used since 1937 and applied the “rational basis” test. This Article traces the historical development of Congress’ enumerated powers from the earliest cases, emphasizing the expansive view of commerce power found in Gibbons v. Ogden. From that strong beginning for the commerce power, the …