Which clause of the Constitution played a critical role in the Gonzales v. Raich ruling?

The commerce clause of the Constitution was pivotal in the Gonzales v. Raich ruling because it grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states. In this case, the Supreme Court addressed whether the federal government could prohibit the local cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes, despite state laws permitting such actions. The Court determined that the federal government could regulate marijuana under the commerce clause, asserting that even local activities could have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.

This interpretation allowed the federal government to enforce its laws regarding controlled substances based on the premise that local consumption and cultivation could influence the broader market for illegal drugs. The ruling emphasized the broad reach of federal power under the commerce clause, reinforcing the idea that Congress has the authority to regulate activities, even if they do not directly cross state lines, if they have a cumulative effect on interstate commerce.