weeeeeeeeee more medical marijuana reform!

[Ns1]

This is ridiculous and follows exactly what the DEA has done in the past - raid MMJ dispensaries, take everything, and wait. Let them build up again, and then raid them again.

There are (rarely) any arrests, and this (basically) amounts to legalized robbery.

They seriously just gave obama a big FU



Just landed in my inbox...

DEA Ignores Policy, Raids San Francisco Dispensary
Raids Defy U.S. President and Attorney General, and need your response!

Dear ASA Supporter,

We never expected that the DEA would defy the public statements of both the U.S. President and the Attorney General in such an arrogant and brazen way.

And yet yesterday, the Drug Enforcement Administration raided a legal, permitted San Francisco medical cannabis dispensing collective against the will of the President and the Department of Justice... and we need you to respond RIGHT NOW!

In early February national media attention exploded around statements from a White House spokesperson and from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, telling the press that DEA raids would no longer continue, and that an end to such raids, according to Holder, was ?now U.S. policy.?

And DEA's response?

They thumbed their noses at the President and immediately raided a legal dispensing collective and, according to the San Francisco Police, did not even inform local cops! DEA claimed that the permit-holding dispensary was "violating state law," but went on to say that evidence was "under seal" and could not be shared with the public.

The DEA is out of line and out of control, and this raid is nothing if not vindictive. Even if there was a violation of state law:

1. Why where there no arrests?
2. Why were local cops not involved?
3. Why are United States Federal Agents interpreting and enforcing California state law without consulting California officials?
4. Why was the collective not given due process through the proper authorities, but rather ransacked with a "smash and grab" raid?

DEA has twisted the words of the U.S. Attorney General, and thought that by saying publicly "they violated state law" that they could continue raiding whenever they want. Well that doesn?t fly. We DEMAND that the DEA stop immediately, and that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder reprimand DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart for her blatant insubordination and violation of the ?new American policy.?

Now it's up to you, and all it takes is two phone calls, one to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and the other straight to the DEA.

Please call the U.S. Attorney General at (202) 353-1555 and say:

Hi, my name is _____________. First I want to thank you for your numerous public statements verifying the end of DEA raids on legal medical marijuana dispensaries in California. But on Wednesday the DEA went against your word and the word of the President of the United States by raiding a permitted dispensary in San Francisco. We respectfully demand that you issue a statement condemning and officially ending these raids until the Obama Administration has had a chance to review the new policy.

When you?re done, call the DEA at (202) 307-8000, ask for Administrator Michele Leonhart, and say:

Hi, my name is ___________. The U.S. Attorney General and the President of the United States have both made high-profile public statements, saying DEA raids on legal medical marijuana dispensaries is no longer U.S. policy. Yet your DEA raided a legal, permit-holding San Francisco dispensary yesterday, in conflict with these statements. This disgraceful and anti-democratic. Why is your agency not listening to the policy statements of our elected leaders and your boss? Is this how you'll run DEA if you are appointed in the Obama Administration? We demand that you STOP it immediately!

Sincerely,
George Pappas
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access

P.S. Please forward this message to all your friends and family so that we can generate a response big enough to get officials to act!

Americans for Safe Access is the nation's largest organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.

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http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090318/D970N6VO1.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law.

That would be a departure from the Bush administration, which targeted medical marijuana dispensaries in California even if they complied with that state's law.

"The policy is to go after those people who violate both federal and state law," Holder said in a question-and-answer session with reporters at the Justice Department.

Medical marijuana advocates in California welcomed the news, but said they still worried about the pending cases of those already in court on drug charges.

California law permits the sale of marijuana for medical purposes, though it still is against federal law.

Holder did not spell out exactly who no longer would face the prospect of raids by the Drug Enforcement Administration. But he was quick to add that law enforcement officers will target anyone who tries to "use medical marijuana laws as a shield" for other illegal activity.

"Given the limited resources that we have, our focus will be on people, organizations that are growing, cultivating substantial amounts of marijuana and doing so in a way that's inconsistent with federal and state law," the attorney general said.

Advocates and government officials had been waiting since President Barack Obama was sworn into office for a clear signal on what the new president's drug policy would be toward medical marijuana. As a candidate, he repeatedly promised a change in policy in situations in which state laws allow the use of medical marijuana.

Yet shortly after Obama took office, DEA agents raided four dispensaries in Los Angeles, prompting confusion about the government's plans.

Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana. California is unique among them for the presence of dispensaries, which are businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Legal under California law, such dispensaries are still illegal under federal law.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for national medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said he welcomed Holder's perspective.

"It signals a new direction and a more reasonable and sensible direction on medical marijuana policy," he said.

Still, Hermes said his Oakland-based organization was concerned about the fate of more than two dozen California medical marijuana cases currently pending in federal court.

"There remains a big question as to what the federal government's position is on those cases," Hermes said. He pointed specifically to the case of Charles Lynch, who was federally convicted for running a medical marijuana dispensary collective in San Luis Obispo County last year.

Hermes said Lynch could face decades in prison when he is sentenced Monday even though his clinic had been compliant with state law.

 

[BoberFett]

We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

This is also a nice setup for California if they decide to legalize it. It pretty much shows they are leaning toward it being a state issue.

 

[frostedflakes]

So I guess this gives states the green light to legalize marijuana for recreational use?

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
So I guess this gives states the green light to legalize marijuana for recreational use?

That's what I'm thinking. This could have possibly been a better way for the Feds to give them the green light instead of trying push actual legislation through congress.

AG basically said, "we don't care to enforce anything if your state says its legal"

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
So I guess this gives states the green light to legalize marijuana for recreational use?

That's what I'm thinking. This could have possibly been a better way for the Feds to give them the green light instead of trying push actual legislation through congress.

AG basically said, "we don't care to enforce anything if your state says its legal"

That's not exactly what he said. What Holder said was they aren't prioritizing raids in CA where state law allows the sale of MJ for medical use even though it's inconsistent with federal law. If CA law was that MJ was legal for recreational use, I think you'd be seeing a less permissive tone come out of the feds.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: jonks

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
So I guess this gives states the green light to legalize marijuana for recreational use?

That's what I'm thinking. This could have possibly been a better way for the Feds to give them the green light instead of trying push actual legislation through congress.

AG basically said, "we don't care to enforce anything if your state says its legal"

That's not exactly what he said. What Holder said was they aren't prioritizing raids in CA where state law allows the sale of MJ for medical use even though it's inconsistent with federal law. If CA law was that MJ was legal for recreational use, I think you'd be seeing a less permissive tone come out of the feds.

That and the next Republican AG could change that rule and start it all up again like under Bush. So this is at least 4 year rule, maybe 8.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: frostedflakes
So I guess this gives states the green light to legalize marijuana for recreational use?

That's what I'm thinking. This could have possibly been a better way for the Feds to give them the green light instead of trying push actual legislation through congress.

AG basically said, "we don't care to enforce anything if your state says its legal"

You are reaching here. Real legalization is a long way away if at all.

Americans generally support marijuana with a physicians prescription, not recreational use.

 

[alchemize]

Illinois is the next one with a major MMJ bill in congress...doubt it passes though.

Oh and your (lack of) commentary is going to get this locked...

 

[Thump553]

Excellent and very practical decision. Extremely sound basis in utilizing limited federal law enforcement activities to areas where they can have the most positive effect. Deliberately targeting California medical operations that complied with state law was a power play by Bush.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

Jail time doesn't curb usage, but fines will?

 

[bamacre]

I would much rather see the federal law done away with instead of just a policy of no enforcement.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

Fuck you. Do you really logically think the war on drugs, especially enforcement towards casual mj smokers is a good thing? You're an inconsiderate asshat if you believe that. Alchohol is alot worse than mj, something that is not arguable, so what you are actually saying is that we need to make alcohol illegal, make the fines for drinking it and selling it through the roof and then all will be good?

Sounds like you are on crack dude.

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I would much rather see the federal law done away with instead of just a policy of no enforcement.

Indeed. Policies of no enforcement are eventually applied selectively to the populace to punish certain individuals for something unrelated. It was legal here once, and based on Historical evidence, I'd say that criminalization has created more problems than it was supposed to solve.

Legalize it.
Tax it.
...
More American jobs and tax revenues!



<--- Can't stand the stuff personally, but does like the idea of more $$ for gvt services, smaller prison population, and reduced crime...

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I would much rather see the federal law done away with instead of just a policy of no enforcement.

Of course, but Obama didn't promise chang....err...

Politically expedient as usual.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

Fuck you. Do you really logically think the war on drugs, especially enforcement towards casual mj smokers is a good thing? You're an inconsiderate asshat if you believe that. Alchohol is alot worse than mj, something that is not arguable, so what you are actually saying is that we need to make alcohol illegal, make the fines for drinking it and selling it through the roof and then all will be good?

Sounds like you are on crack dude.

I must have missed the rhetoric of cursing and name calling in debate class.

If I were on crack, why would I be advocating that drug fines should drastically increase?

I would not have a problem with alcohol being illegal, and it certainly would be a source of revenue for the districts if they cracked down on all the illegal usage of drugs.

All the potheads I know, yes I think fining the hell out of them so they can't afford as much weed as they apparently go through daily is a good thing.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

Fuck you. Do you really logically think the war on drugs, especially enforcement towards casual mj smokers is a good thing? You're an inconsiderate asshat if you believe that. Alchohol is alot worse than mj, something that is not arguable, so what you are actually saying is that we need to make alcohol illegal, make the fines for drinking it and selling it through the roof and then all will be good?

Sounds like you are on crack dude.

Whoa calm down dude, you act as if he said Gay Marriage should be legal.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Whoa calm down dude, you act as if he said Gay Marriage should be legal.

As if I would ever say such a thing (or the reverse of it). I like being able to tackle *that* problem at a different level then addressing it...

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

Fuck you. Do you really logically think the war on drugs, especially enforcement towards casual mj smokers is a good thing? You're an inconsiderate asshat if you believe that. Alchohol is alot worse than mj, something that is not arguable, so what you are actually saying is that we need to make alcohol illegal, make the fines for drinking it and selling it through the roof and then all will be good?

Sounds like you are on crack dude.

I must have missed the rhetoric of cursing and name calling in debate class.

If I were on crack, why would I be advocating that drug fines should drastically increase?

I would not have a problem with alcohol being illegal, and it certainly would be a source of revenue for the districts if they cracked down on all the illegal usage of drugs.

All the potheads I know, yes I think fining the hell out of them so they can't afford as much weed as they apparently go through daily is a good thing.

Wow, just wow. Do you really think making things illegal just to create revenue is wise? In that case, let's make food illegal!! How about water too?? Your approach is exactly what creates the underground, black markets, which cause violence, funds gangs/mafias (ex. mexican drug cartel), etc. Your outlook is not very wise, is selfish, shortsighted, and basically ignorant. Sorry.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: BoberFett
We've got a long way to go, but this is a good start.

yup. things are definately creeping in the right direction.

Can we call this "a direction" not the right direction? Hard to say this is the right way to go. Personally, I would sooner see revenue increase dramatically by making fines for any illegal drugs skyrocket and be done with it.

Fuck you. Do you really logically think the war on drugs, especially enforcement towards casual mj smokers is a good thing? You're an inconsiderate asshat if you believe that. Alchohol is alot worse than mj, something that is not arguable, so what you are actually saying is that we need to make alcohol illegal, make the fines for drinking it and selling it through the roof and then all will be good?

Sounds like you are on crack dude.

I must have missed the rhetoric of cursing and name calling in debate class.

If I were on crack, why would I be advocating that drug fines should drastically increase?

I would not have a problem with alcohol being illegal, and it certainly would be a source of revenue for the districts if they cracked down on all the illegal usage of drugs.

All the potheads I know, yes I think fining the hell out of them so they can't afford as much weed as they apparently go through daily is a good thing.

Wow, just wow. Do you really think making things illegal just to create revenue is wise? In that case, let's make food illegal!! How about water too?? Your approach is exactly what creates the underground, black markets, which cause violence, funds gangs/mafias (ex. mexican drug cartel), etc. Your outlook is not very wise, is selfish, shortsighted, and basically ignorant. Sorry.

You equate food to illegal drugs?

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak
You equate food to illegal drugs?

Food is deadlier to your health than marijuana.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak
You equate food to illegal drugs?

Food is deadlier to your health than marijuana.

:roll:

Im all for medical MJ, and have been known to partake myself every now and then...but come on. Statements like this actually work against what you are fighting for. It is like PETA making people want to actually club baby seals.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak
You equate food to illegal drugs?

Food is deadlier to your health than marijuana.

Tell ya what... I will continue to eat food as a way to take in nutrients, you refrain from that and smoke instead. Let's see who lives longer.