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AP Newsbreak: Obama Issued New Medical mar1juana Policy

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by BetterThanEver, Oct 18, 2009.

  1. BetterThanEver

    BetterThanEver Contributing Member

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    Good news! We are one step closer to changing our drug policies.


    http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Ne...tml?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=main&asset=&ccode=

    AP Newsbreak: New medical mar1juana policy issued by Obama administration
    WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical mar1juana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors Monday.

    Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical mar1juana in strict compliance with state laws.

    The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

    Fourteen states allow some use of mar1juana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

    California is unique among those for the presence of dispensaries -- businesses that sell mar1juana and even advertise their services.

    Attorney General Eric Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

    A 3-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

    The memo, the officials said, emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

    The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued.

    At the same time, the officials said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical mar1juana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide old-fashioned drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical mar1juana business.

    In particular, the memo urges prosecutors to pursue mar1juana cases which involve violence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or other crimes.

    And while the policy memo describes a change in priorities away from prosecuting medical mar1juana cases, it does not rule out the possibility that the federal government could still prosecute someone whose activities are allowed under state law.

    The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to U.S. Attorneys in the states that allow medical mar1juana. It notes that pot sales in the United States are the largest source of money for violent Mexican drug cartels, but adds that federal law enforcement agencies have limited resources.

    Medical mar1juana advocates have been anxious to see exactly how the administration would implement candidate Barack Obama's repeated promises to change the policy in situations in which state laws allow the use of medical mar1juana.

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

    shastarocket Contributing Member

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    Hmm, this move promotes the respect for State autonomy, but it is a step backwards in the "all drugs are bad" argument.

    I wonder how conservatives take this...
     
  3. ryan_98

    ryan_98 Contributing Member
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    that depends on being a true conservative, or being a neo-con.
     
  4. Shooter3

    Shooter3 Member

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    This is a step in the right direction. Hopefully recreational pot use will be legalized for adults sometime in the near future.
     
  5. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Contributing Member

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    how is this different than Obama and Holder making the same promise 6 months ago, and the raids are still happening?
     
  6. GladiatoRowdy

    GladiatoRowdy Contributing Member

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    The way I understand it, the raids that have been happening were planned before the current administration came in and were executed because they wwere already in the pipeline. In addition, this would seem (I haven't read the memo yet, supposed to be released today) to indicate that prosecutors have been notified as well, which may force them to drop cases where the defvendants are demonstrably following state law. If that is the case, then many of the victims of the recent raids would be let off.

    More comments after I read the actual memo.
     
  7. SWTsig

    SWTsig Contributing Member

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    damn socialist!

    :mad:
     
  8. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Contributing Member

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    Terrible decision Obama you've lost my support -- soon we are going to have a nation of stoned zombies ready for the forced conversion to socialism.
     
  9. Rashmon

    Rashmon Contributing Member

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    All part of the plan.

    Soften up their minds, make them more pliable, more susceptible to programming.
     
  10. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Contributing Member

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    Reeducation.
     
  11. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    A small move forward, but at least it's a move.
     
  12. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Contributing Member

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    call a spade a spade. everyone knows that the majority of medical mar1juana users in California got a prescription to smoke legally without having a real ailment.

    it's the wording of Prop 215 that allows almost anyone to medicate for the "treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine or any other illness for which mar1juana provides relief."

    legalize and taxing the existing clinics/dispensaries is the next logical move.
    operate them exactly how they are already being run...

    boom, roasted!
     
  13. Preston27

    Preston27 Contributing Member

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    They are paying taxes, and have been since the day they started.
     
  14. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    As someone who suffers from chronic pain, you shouldn't paint with too broad a brush.
     
  15. mateo

    mateo Contributing Member

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    Yeah my buddy smoked pot through his chemo for testicular cancer.....he actually gained weight through chemo and was able to attend his sister's wedding instead of staying home puking. Granted, he wasnt so conversational that night :)

    Good for Obama....the drug war is such a waste of money. Keep the Feds out of it.
     
    1 person likes this.
  16. mrdave543

    mrdave543 Contributing Member

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    Only thing Obama and I agree with
     
  17. GladiatoRowdy

    GladiatoRowdy Contributing Member

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    The actual memo was chock full of equivocations and descriptions of what it was NOT saying, but bumping down the priority level of prosecutions of businesses and individuals that are clearly following state laws is a good thing. A baby step, to be sure, but one in the right direction.
     
  18. Dubious

    Dubious Contributing Member

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    Leaving some hoops to jump through is not a bad thing. I'm all for pot for geezers but it's too stunting on kids.
     
  19. jo mama

    jo mama Contributing Member

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    he's right though - for all intensive purposes, weed is totally legal in cali - anyone can get a prescription (if you go to the right doctor). the vast majority of people w/ a prescription have no medical need for it. they just likes getting high - i think its great!!!
     
  20. Dubious

    Dubious Contributing Member

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    Life is a chronic pain so yeah , pretty much everyone qualifies.
     

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