Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy

Machinamentum · 03-19-2009, 08:39 PM

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.

---

Associated Press writer Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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

Humble Janitor · 03-19-2009, 08:44 PM

Eric, quit ******* around and legalize it already, dumbass!

-Red

Gotta love how pop culture references can come into handy sometimes.

Machinamentum · 03-19-2009, 08:50 PM

Friend of mine, went to go get a bag from the dispensarie, receipt showed:

1 60.00
+ 4.44
---------
64.44

Crazy eh?

A

Receipt!

They want to make sure their getting their taxes!

That's what happens when you ask for permission.

J_rod7 · 03-19-2009, 09:36 PM

*
***
*******

At last, a sensible step towards decriminalization.

I wouldn't care if they tax all sales nationwide,

>>> JUST MAKE CANNABIS LEGAL <<<

*******
***
*

Dantheman62 · 03-20-2009, 05:10 AM

I can't believe I missed this thread!, man I must be slipping!

Thanks machinamentum

Luminari · 03-20-2009, 09:26 AM

Australia has its head so far up America's ASS that we will need you
guys to totally legalise it before we follow like the good little sheep we have always been...

If America told Australia to jump off a cliff... Australia would say "Sure, which cliff?"... we already did.... War in Iraq anyone? War in afganistan to protect the opium harvest??

I wish my country's leaders had more BALLS and showed less 'christian conservative values' translation = enforced mental illness

Making nature illegal is outrageous hypocrisy!!!

burgundia · 03-20-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luminari

Australia has its head so far up America's ASS that we will need you
guys to totally legalise it before we follow like the good little sheep we have always been...

If America told Australia to jump off a cliff... Australia would say "Sure, which cliff?"... we already did....!

Australia has its head so far up America's ASS....
let alone Poland(or our President)..
We keep pushing our head there even if America doesn't want us there...
Our president is puppet number 1( the thing with georgia and Russia last year..)

03-19-2009, 08:39 PM	#1
Machinamentum Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 413	Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy 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. --- Associated Press writer Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles contributed to this report. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090318/D970N6VO1.html

03-19-2009, 08:44 PM	#2
Humble Janitor Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,201	Re: Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy Eric, quit ****** around and legalize it already, dumbass!* -Red Gotta love how pop culture references can come into handy sometimes.

03-19-2009, 08:50 PM	#3
Machinamentum Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 413	Re: Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy Friend of mine, went to go get a bag from the dispensarie, receipt showed: 1 60.00 + 4.44 --------- 64.44 Crazy eh? A Receipt! They want to make sure their getting their taxes! That's what happens when you ask for permission.

03-19-2009, 09:36 PM	#4
J_rod7 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 301	Re: Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy * * *** At last, a sensible step towards decriminalization. I wouldn't care if they tax all sales nationwide, >>> JUST MAKE CANNABIS LEGAL <<< *** * *

03-20-2009, 05:10 AM	#5
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy I can't believe I missed this thread!, man I must be slipping! Thanks machinamentum

03-20-2009, 09:26 AM	#6
Luminari Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,570	Re: Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy Australia has its head so far up America's ASS that we will need you guys to totally legalise it before we follow like the good little sheep we have always been... If America told Australia to jump off a cliff... Australia would say "Sure, which cliff?"... we already did.... War in Iraq anyone? War in afganistan to protect the opium harvest?? I wish my country's leaders had more BALLS and showed less 'christian conservative values' translation = enforced mental illness Making nature illegal is outrageous hypocrisy!!!