Supreme Court hears arguments on medical marijuana use.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Jan Crawford Greenburg

WASHINGTON _ The Supreme Court Monday jumped into the fight over the use of illegal drugs for health purposes, as the justices debated whether allowing medical marijuana use is a necessary kindness in a compassionate society or a dangerous move that could undermine the fight against narcotics.

The immediate subject was whether the federal government's strict anti-drug laws should override a California statute that allows those suffering from chronic pain or other symptoms to use marijuana under a doctor's supervision. The justices fired questions at lawyers on both sides.

The case involves two California women who say they use marijuana for medical reasons because other types of conventional medication have not alleviated their chronic pain. In court papers, Angel Raich and Diane Monson …