In his third and final argument, Barnett said it was a fundamental right of a citizen to avoid suffering and seek medical treatment. The use of cannabis to address the suffering of ill individuals should fall within that definition, he said.

Barnett’s case has been bounced around the federal courts over the past five years. Although the Ninth Circuit Court originally ruled in favor of the Oakland cooperative, this decision was later reversed by the Supreme Court.

The case was then returned to a lower court.

Barnett predicted to last night’s audience that his clients would lose their case, saying that the lower courts would be unlikely to challenge the Supreme Court’s earlier reversal.

Last night’s event was sponsored by the Harvard Libertarian Society and the Harvard Federalist Society.

“Professor Barnett has been a long time friend of the Harvard Federalist Society,” said Beth A. Schonmuller ’01, a third-year at Harvard Law School and leader of the Harvard Federalist Society. “It is important to invite speakers who we think will provoke debate and free thought as well as the expression of ideas on the University campus.”