cannabisnews.com: Legal Walls are Mounting Against War on Drugs
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Legal Walls are Mounting Against War on Drugs
Posted by CN Staff on October 25, 2009 at 08:03:16 PT
By John Colson, Aspen Times Weekly
Source: Aspen Times
Colorado -- It seems the long-standing war on a segment of the U.S. populace, waged by corrupt bureaucrats and self-aggrandizing law enforcement agencies throughout the country, has hit a wall.I refer to the national effort to retain, and even strengthen, an institutional campaign to criminalize those who prefer marijuana as their drug of choice, rather than the patent medicines and nostrums pumped out by the pharmaceutical industry, or the booze that flows so freely through the commercial veins of the world, or any of the numerous other legally sanctioned substances used to blot out pain, anxiety or simple discomfort at the end of a tough day.
The wall that this nasty war has collided with has a name: President Barack Obama, who has made good on a campaign pledge to stop harassment and prosecution of medical marijuana patients in the 13 states with medical marijuana statutes on their books.The Obama administration's directives to the Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other long arms of the law is soon to be bolstered by legislation designed to eliminate a discrepancy that, in spite of state laws permitting medical marijuana use, enables federal prosecutors to continue their war.A national advocacy organization, the Marijuana Policy Project, was a key player in getting Obama to live up to his campaign promise. According to the organization, in all 13 states that now permit medical marijuana use, patients are barred from telling a federal jury that their use of pot was for medical purposes, despite the fact that state law permits such use. This kind of Byzantine legal chicanery keeps the anti-drug cartel in business, busting people who have legitimate medicinal needs for a relatively benign drug.Well, according to the MPP, a California congressman, Sam Farr, will introduce legislation next week to codify the Obama directive into the federal statute books.Now, those who may not need medical marijuana, or who continue to feel it is the “gateway drug” that has been the bogeyman of federal anti-drug efforts for decades, may think Farr's legislation is a waste of time.But consider that thousands of people end up in prison every year for smoking pot, and many of them would qualify for certification as medical marijuana users. To eliminate these cases from the criminal justice backlog would reduce the costs of our nation's overcrowded and burgeoning prison system. Plus, it has been argued that if these patients were allowed access to their medicine of choice rather than being forced to depend on the expensive and often counterproductive products of the pharmaceutical industry, it might actually help cut medical costs nationwide.Not to mention the fact that, as a taxable product in the commercial market, medical marijuana could help ease our nation's chronic shortage of public funds.So Farr's proposal makes sense in a variety of ways, and I urge anyone reading this to contact their representatives in Washington and recommend they support the bill.Why should federal, state and local resources be wasted on investigating, prosecuting and imprisoning this subset of our population?Don't our law enforcement and regulatory agencies have better things to do, such as identifying the villains who nearly sent the world in a great depression and, if not punishing them, at least making sure they don't do this kind of damage again?The voters have agreed that using pot to cure pain, anxiety and other ailments is not a crime. It's time the feds got their heads out of the sand and did the same.Source: Aspen Times (CO)Author: John Colson, Aspen Times WeeklyPublished: Sunday, October 25, 2009Copyright: 2009 Aspen TimesWebsite: http://www.aspentimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/W79UODUfContact: http://drugsense.org/url/zKpMPhQ7CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #25 posted by Rainbow on October 26, 2009 at 14:09:47 PT
Ask
I took Hope's suggestion a bit futher. My congresscritter advertised a website for the federal grants coming our way in MN.I sent him a letter asking if I could get a grant to sue the USA for keeping important cannabis information away from the citizens and researchers.I also as ezrydn suggests told him I was saddened by his inactivity and suggested I will not vote for him again.I told him that my Dad died of prostrate cancer and I hold him and his cronies accountable.Of course he will not respond and maybe I am too mad to communicate with the guy but he needs to hear it.Actually his staff probably just threw it away. That would be typical though.
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on October 26, 2009 at 09:03:53 PT
rchandar
I understand what you are saying. I wonder how many people in their 70s live in Florida because they won't be for any change since they weren't ever exposed to Cannabis. Hopefully Florida will get more Dems in power and then things will change in your state.
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Comment #23 posted by rchandar on October 26, 2009 at 08:49:55 PT:
FoM
FoM--I hope this comes across right. Hope it does. This is MIAMI. Sin City. Land of beaches, clubs, thongs and hip-hop. There must be a couple hundred thousand burners.Folks have you SEEN what's on the books for Florida? When small states like MISSISSIPPI are DECRIM? This CAN'T be acceptable, it isn't! Miami is a city of 5 million, one of the most eclectic and diverse cities in the world. A place where 22 million people come for their vacations...1 YEAR???? $1,000 FINE???? WHO COULD EVER TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY!!!--rchandar
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on October 26, 2009 at 07:15:02 PT
Hope
I don't watch Lou Dobbs or CNN anymore. They get people to come on and say one thing but spin it to something else. I am not interested in what McCaffrey has to say anymore then I care what Bob Barr has to say.
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on October 26, 2009 at 07:04:23 PT
McCaffrey
Mr. Trojan Horse, himself, eh?I haven't read it yet... but it did catch my eye.General McCaffrey, the experienced "Military" leader of the WoD.Yuck.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on October 26, 2009 at 06:55:38 PT
Hope
We are going somewhere this time and it isn't backward.
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Comment #19 posted by Hope on October 26, 2009 at 06:52:05 PT
Comment 15
That's a beautiful page.This is there, too.Former Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey "100%" for Medical MarijuanaWhat?!
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on October 26, 2009 at 06:24:20 PT
rchandar
My state is very backward too. We are a little more progressive then we were though now. Unless states in the southern part of the USA become progressive it will take a federal change in the law to help. That's just my opinion.
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Comment #17 posted by rchandar on October 26, 2009 at 04:38:27 PT:
FoM
FoM--Cawm awn' down hyah, tuh dis hyah South! To Mayyyamee! Yew won't be dis' poin' ted, tho' de law sho' is harsh' on us culuhds!--rchandar
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 17:45:38 PT
Baltimore Cop Debates Clinton Drug Czar
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ALFmIj_rVo
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 17:37:05 PT
Rep. Barney Frank Expects Nationwide MMJ Law
Rep. Barney Frank Expects Nationwide Medical Marijuana LawBy Marijuana Policy Project Congressman Barney Frank, author of two important marijuana policy reform bills (H.R. 2835 and H.R. 2943), responded to a question about the direction of marijuana policy reform today on the Web site reddit.com. See the video below for his take on where the movement is headed.URL: http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/video-rep-barney-frank-expects-nationwide-medical-marijuana-law-r-1256515155
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 17:21:55 PT
Dankhank
Have a fun and safe trip home.
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Comment #13 posted by Dankhank on October 25, 2009 at 17:12:38 PT
Hello from ....
Sedona, AZ.working my way back from SF and the 10th year celebration.Sedona is beautiful. must visit if you can.might stop in NM somewhere ...I love the road .... :-)
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 17:06:23 PT
News Article From RawStory.com
George Will: US ‘Probably in The Process’ of Legalizing MarijuanaBy Stephen C. WebsterSunday, October 25th, 2009URL: http://rawstory.com/2009/10/george-probably-process-legalizing-pot/
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 17:00:22 PT
rchandar
What I hope is that all of the east and north eastern states pass medical marijuana. I want the states like Wisconsin to change the laws too. Many people live in those parts of the USA. They might be small states in size but not in population. I want Illinois to get it passed soon.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 16:55:03 PT
Debate Over Legalizing MMJ Heats Up In Ohio
Debate Over Legalizing Medical Marijuana Heats Up In Ohio October 25, 2009Video: http://www.wtov9.com/news/21421038/detail.htmlDuring an interview with CNN, Ohio state Rep. Kenny Yuko said he favored legalizing medical marijuana in Ohio.He cited its use to ease pain and nausea associated with all types of disease and illness. Yuko's comments are stirring a lot of debate in the Ohio Valley. Kevin Ensell, of Steubenville, Ohio, hopes legislators will approve the use of medical marijuana.Walking isn't easy for Ensell. Doctors have already operated on his back two times. Titanium rods hold him together.Ensell said, "There's all this constant pain, like someone's punching me in my back."One thing that's helped ease his pain: marijuna.Ensell said, "I did smoke pot and it did help me out. I feel if it was legalized it would help out, it would help out people."Kathy Gibbons, of Mingo Junction, Ohio, sees the effects of suffering first-hand as a healthcare worker.Gibbons said, "For people out on the street buying it and that, I don't agree with it. But for a medical purpose, yeah, I would say. I have dealt with clients in the past that have taken opium pills for cancer purposes, things like that, and it seemed to help them."But all those first-hand experiences still won't get the backing of certain politicians, including Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. Strickland wants to see more support from the medical community.Strickland said, "I believe these kind of decisions should be driven by research and the medical community, those that have the greatest level of expertise. At this point, I'm not hearing strong support from the medical community that this is the most appropriate way to provide medical care."During CNN's interview, Yuko was asked how the medical marijuana would be dispensed. He suggested through doctors and a mail-in prescription plan. Copyright 2009 by wtov9.com
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Comment #9 posted by rchandar on October 25, 2009 at 16:23:47 PT:
FoM
Hey thanks for the clip. I do hope so, because those are big states with traditionally harsh laws. It being NJ and PA--states which are heavily urban, large industrial/manufacturing base, and high percentages of unemployment, large numbers of people with disabilities and injuries, it would be about time. And: nowhere that I can think of will it be more realizable, because both states are traditionally blue states.Thanks, will read on. --rchandar
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 15:57:41 PT
Behind The DOJ Medical Marijuana Memo
URL: http://open.salon.com/blog/freedomisgreen/2009/10/25/behind_the_doj_medical_marijuana_memo
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Comment #7 posted by rchandar on October 25, 2009 at 14:01:25 PT:
The Rest of the Country
I just wanted to take this opportunity to voice my extreme bitterness that change is coming to some, but not to many. Millions of people are still ruled by this insane WoD and the suffocating moral logic of politician-criminals who basically murder hundreds of thousands of young people and old people every year.They should all be fired, and sent to the gas chambers.--rchandar
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 25, 2009 at 12:32:18 PT
John Tyler
Thank you. Our time has come. I think it's wonderful.
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Comment #5 posted by John Tyler on October 25, 2009 at 12:21:47 PT
“This Week” with George Stephanopoulous
Today on “This Week” with George Stephanopoulous, when the regular guests were discussing the Obama DOJ directive, George Will, a well know conservative, said that marijuana had effectively been legalized. We know that is not true, but if even in conservative circles that is the perception going around, then change is definitely in the air. There was nothing said negatively about it by the other commentators either. One of them even said that if we could get cannabis legal and taxed, it could go a long way in helping to pay for health care. Yes we cannabis. Lets keep on, keeping on.
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on October 25, 2009 at 11:02:53 PT
FYI
John Walters is missing his P.
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Comment #3 posted by Storm Crow on October 25, 2009 at 10:54:38 PT
And before all that......
Be sure to register to VOTE! If you aren't registered, you can't help throw those "sandy-headed" idiots out of office!
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Comment #2 posted by ezrydn on October 25, 2009 at 09:39:19 PT:
Remind Everyone
When it's time for a ballot to be placed in front of you, be sure you know who you're voting for and why. That's still one of our "big sticks." If an elected official has voted contrary to your beliefs, then there's no reason to retain them in office. If they are "sand-headed," then, by all means, it's time for them to find a new profession. And each and every one of us is responsible to get those around us to think along the same lines on this matter. But first, know who voted which way. That's important!!
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on October 25, 2009 at 08:27:43 PT
Get their head out of where,
sand?
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