MADISON, Wis. -- A Madison man fighting for years to legally smoke marijuana for a medical condition calls the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling against medical marijuana a setback, but not a surprise.

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The high court ruled patients with marijuana prescriptions can be arrested under federal laws.

Gary Storck said it has now been 26 years since an eye doctor first wanted to prescribe for him marijuana, a drug he purchases illegally.

Without it, Storck, who suffers from glaucoma, told News 3 he'd be blind. He said he's not surprised by Monday's ruling.

In a nutshell, the ruling says 10 states that allow marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes are not immune from federal drug laws.

"In a day where we have a war against terrorism, the fact that even one federal agent can go after a sick person, or go after a dispensary that supplies them with medicine is a serious misuse of our resources," Storck said. "Taxpayers should be aghast that our government would have any kind of priorities that would put sick people before a terrorist."

The lead federal drug agent in Wisconsin told News 3 there are no plans to target the sick and dying. He said local DEA efforts will continue to focus on large drug trafficking operations

Storck said he will continue to work his Web site, Is My Medicine Legal Yet?, as he and others continue to advocate and lobby.

He likes the fact the justices, in their 6-3 decision, said Congress could always change the law.

"Those cowardly politicians hide behind bottling it up in committee every session, and patients never get a chance for their story to be heard," Storck said. "It's time for the cowards in Washington to wake up and do something to protect sick people instead of all this anti-drug posturing."

Stock said he's simply seeking compassionate access for people who have exhausted all legal treatment.

The American Medical Association has yet to weigh in on marijuana as medicine. Although there is anecdotal evidence that the drug does help cancer patients and others, opponents argue there is no definitive study.

Officials: 'Don't Panic' Over Medical Marijuana Ruling