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| Official Downplays Threat of Prosecution |
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Posted by CN Staff on July 27, 2007 at 10:51:02 PT By David Olson, The Press-Enterprise Source: Press-Enterprise 
California -- President Bush's nominee to become U.S. attorney for the Inland and Los Angeles areas appeared to take the federal government's campaign against medical marijuana to a new level early this year. Tom O'Brien, currently chief of the criminal division for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles, told members of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments on Jan. 8 that government officials could be prosecuted for allowing medical-marijuana dispensaries to operate. Marijuana is legal in California to treat certain medical conditions. It is illegal for all uses under federal law. Palm Springs is considering a proposal to allow medical-marijuana patients to grow the plant at city-approved collectives. Palm Springs City Councilman Mike McCulloch asked O'Brien whether members of city councils are "exposed to risk of arrest or other prosecution" if they allow dispensaries. According to a tape recording of the meeting, O'Brien answered, "Anyone who aids or abets the commission of a crime -- in this I believe you're hypothetical -- in terms of someone who is distributing marijuana, anyone who assists in that process is technically liable for prosecution." Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles, insisted Thursday that O'Brien never directly addressed the issue of liability. "In our interpretation, what he addressed there was saying like in some theoretical or possible world, that could happen, but I'm not going to address whether that is in the realm of possibility," he said. McCulloch called O'Brien's comments "intimidating." "I interpreted that comment that as far as the federal government is concerned, city council members shouldn't approve marijuana dispensaries or you will be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a criminal action," McCulloch said. Source: Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) Related Articles & Web Site: Americans For Safe Access Crackdown Activates Search for Options House Votes Down Change To End Federal Raids Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #7 posted by FoM on July 28, 2007 at 21:07:46 PT |
| House Members Say They Will Try to Block Arms Sales to Saudis *** By Robin Wright, Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, July 29, 2007; Page A06 The Bush administration's plan to sell $20 billion in advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia and five other Persian Gulf countries is running into congressional opposition and criticism from human rights and arms control groups. Complete Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/28/AR2007072801172.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by mai_bong_city on July 28, 2007 at 10:51:00 PT |
| i thought this was relevant to things a la feds, states, etc. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by Zandor on July 28, 2007 at 08:58:12 PT |
| Is it not ageist the law to threaten or intimidate the vote of an elected official? It was back in the 40's I remember from school. When they were going after Al Capone and his bunch they passed laws making it a crime to threaten or intimidate an elected official. This guy should be tossed in jail himself for his actions. But Bush would just pardon him anyway.
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| Comment #4 posted by John Tyler on July 28, 2007 at 07:05:24 PT |
| Of course it’s a threat. The feds. tried to go after the doctors for recommending cannabis and largely failed. The medical cannabis clinics opened. They are going after the clinic’s operators and their suppliers. The recently decided they would go after the landlords who rent office space to the clinics and now this guy said that the feds could go after local politicians who approved medical cannabis clinics in their local political subdivision. Will they go after judges who decide in favor of medical cannabis next? The feds have gotten so heavy handed now I don’t think that anybody likes them anymore. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Had Enough on July 27, 2007 at 15:51:14 PT |
When I think of certain current events, and then read about Mr. O’Brians’ perfect world he would like, I can’t help but think of this tune from Black Sabbath. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJlXTzSwLeY [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on July 27, 2007 at 14:02:59 PT:
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| That it was the electorate of California who first voted for the laws. The local and State officials there, are doing the carrying out the democratically determined 'will of the people'. Mr. O'Brien, on the other hand, is not an elected official. Despite any fancy title he may claim, he is a bureaucrat, and nothing more. He serves at the pleasure of the President...who is himself a public servant (at least on paper). Such is the nature of a democratic republic...which far too many putative 'public servants' forget. If Mr. O'Brien has a problem with democracy, I'm sure the Chinese would welcome him with open arms. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by whig on July 27, 2007 at 11:13:59 PT |
| Make no mistake. [ Post Comment ] |
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