Obama Admin to Put a Stop to Medical Marijuana Raids

[marmar]

via AlterNet's PEEK:



Obama Admin to Put a Stop to Medical Marijuana Raids

Posted by Steve Benen, Washington Monthly at 1:20 PM on February 26, 2009.

Some welcome news from Eric Holder.



Just two days after President Obama's inauguration, the Drug Enforcement Administration raided a medical marijuana dispensary in northern California. The move was at odds with Obama's policy, at least as it was articulated during the campaign.

Today, we received some welcome clarification.

Attorney General Eric Holder said at a press conference Wednesday that the Justice Department will no longer raid medical marijuana clubs that are established legally under state law. His declaration is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by President Barack Obama, and marks a major shift from the previous administration.

After the inauguration, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) continued to carry out such raids, despite Obama's promise. Holder was asked if those raids represented American policy going forward.

"No," he said. "What the president said during the campaign, you'll be surprised to know, will be consistent with what we'll be doing in law enforcement. He was my boss during the campaign. He is formally and technically and by law my boss now. What he said during the campaign is now American policy."

My friend Alex Koppelman adds some helpful context:

It's a common misperception that, in states like California which have passed measures legalizing it, medical marijuana is completely legal. It's not. Federal law takes precedence, and federal authorities have made no secret of their belief that any user or distributor -- even one authorized by the state -- can be arrested at any time.

That's been the policy for the last three administrations. Not anymore.


http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/129131/obama_admin_to_put_a_stop_to_medical_marijuana_raids/

[Uzybone]

1. great news, let Law Enforcement worry about real crooks.

[DesertFlower]

2. great.

i have chronic fatigue syndrome and have trouble sleeping. my husband said pot might help me. i live in arizona and i'd be terrified to even find out where to get it. sheriff joe might put me in tent city.

[Wetzelbill]

3. I'd understand this article better

If I wasn't high right now. :smoke:

No seriously, I'm only high on life. Although I did sniff some glue out in the parking lot.

[sarge43]

4. It's about freaking time. n/t

[Zhade]

5. HELL YES!

It's time to put an end to the war on this proven-beneficial herb!

[librechik]

6. OK--how are you going to make them stop?

since the mere fact of having Obama as president did not stop them from raiding, how does Holder intend to enforce his new policy? (Especially since certain parties are making HUGE BUCKS off the results of these raids.) Forfeiture money is financing half the cop shops in the country. Not even talking about the legal fees, penitentiaries and so on, where, other greedy and powerful bastards get involved.

I'm interested in finding out whether the bohunk pigs in Humboldt County & elsewhere will actually stand down when asked. I have my doubts.

[Zhade]

7. An excellent, and fair, question.

We must be vigilant!

[Massacure]

11. The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Agency are part of the executive branch...

President Obama is the boss. He can always fire people.

[librechik]

13. (Rubbing hands) Bring it on!

[glitch]

8. Excellent! K & R nt

[Baikonour]

9. Great news. K&R.

[Zhade]

10. This is great news! Kick!

NT!

[Ardent15]

12. Awesome.

About time, too.