Obama won’t prosecute medical marijuana users in states where it’s legal
Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:35 am
- 3 Comments
Photo: Wikipedia
Although medical marijuana use is still illegal on the federal level, the Obama administration said today that it won’t go after patients or their providers in states where it is legal.
“It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement to federal prosecutors this morning. “This balanced policy formalizes a sensible approach that the Department has been following since January: effectively focus our resources on serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws.”
The memo, penned by David W. Ogden, Deputy Attorney General, says:
As a general matter, pursuit of these priorities should not focus federal resources in your States on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana. For example, prosecution of individuals with cancer or other serious illnesses who use marijuana as part of a recommended treatment regimen consistent with applicable state law, or those caregivers in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state law who provide such individuals with marijuana, is unlikely to be an efficient use of limited federal resources.
In Minnesota, medical marijuana remains illegal. In 2009, the Minnesota Legislature passed a tightly-worded bill that would allow some medical marijuana in the state, but that measure was vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Advocates say they will take their battle to the people, and and constitutional amendment legislation is planned for the 2010 legislative session.
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Comment posted October 20, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Valid medicinal value, it’s a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficit. Need I say more?
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Comment posted October 20, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
Obama already issued this statement through AG Eric Holder.
Apparently L.A. county prosecutors didn’t get that memo, as they have said recently they plan to try to close down 100% of dispensaries in L.A. I hope this is more than window dressing on Obama’s part, but so far, he has given only “hope” and no real change to Bush-era policies. He has even extended Bush doctrine agendas. Until federal law is changed with respect to the Controlled Substances Act, and marijuana is taken out of a Schedule I rating (meaning no medical benefit) the true change needed- RESEARCH, will not happen. As it stands, the government has a monopoly on marijuana research and is a huge impediment to truly discovering the medical potentials of cannabis.
Comment posted October 21, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
I saw this today:
http://www.twincities.com/ci_13608723?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
“Doyle: Medical marijuana restrictions senseless
The Associated Press
Updated: 10/21/2009 10:22:24 AM CDT
MADISON, Wis.—Gov. Jim Doyle says he supports legalizing medical marijuana in Wisconsin if a law can be written that restricts its use to people who have a doctor’s prescription.
At an appearance in Wausau, Doyle says he has no problem with the use of marijuana to treat severe pain and other medical conditions, if it’s prescribed by a doctor.
Doyle’s comments come after a decision by the Obama administration not to prosecute users and suppliers of medical marijuana in the 14 states where it’s been legalized. The decision is a clear break from the policies of the Bush administration.
The governor says restricting the use of medical marijuana makes no sense when doctors can already prescribe more dangerous drugs like morphine.
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Information from: Wisconsin Public Radio, http://www.wpr.org”
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Now, how is it that “T-Paw” and good ‘ol Jim can have time for friendly wagers on the Vikes/GB game and TV publicity time, but they just don’t have the time to sit down and exchange ideas on this issue? How can a state line, where the two governors have openly railed for sharing of expenses, make for such a difference of opinion and policy?? Politics as usual.
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