7 - 1 majority , upheld Florida 's use of lethal injection ` ` cocktail '' is constitutional . High Court said Method -- used in some 35 states -- is not ` ` cruel or unusual '' Both sides of this politically charged national debate were hoping for clear guidelines from the Supreme Court to help guide capital inmates and the courts . The immediate benefit of ruling is that it will allow states to resume executions . Recent lethal injection executions in Florida and Ohio had technical problems .
7 - 1 majority , upheld Florida 's use of lethal injection ` ` cocktail '' is constitutional . High Court said Method -- used in some 35 states -- is not ` ` cruel or unusual '' The immediate benefit of ruling is that it will allow states to resume executions . Recent lethal injection executions in Florida and Ohio had technical problems .