cannabisnews.com: Clear The Air on U.S. Pot Policy
function share_this(num) {
 tit=encodeURIComponent('Clear The Air on U.S. Pot Policy');
 url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/26/thread26503.shtml');
 site = new Array(5);
 site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
 return false;
}






Clear The Air on U.S. Pot Policy
Posted by CN Staff on April 27, 2011 at 06:51:30 PT
Denver Post Editorial
Source: Denver Post
Denver -- The Internal Revenue Service's audits of medical marijuana businesses in Colorado and elsewhere around the country seem to be within the agency's legal authority, but prompt a larger question for the Obama administration.What is the federal government's over-arching policy on state-approved medical marijuana activity?
The Justice Department issued a directive in 2009 saying federal drug enforcement resources wouldn't be used to prosecute medical marijuana interests clearly acting within the frameworks established by states. That directive, partly, caused the industry to boom in Colorado.Yet the IRS reportedly has begun auditing dozens of medical marijuana businesses, pursuing a clause in the federal tax code prohibiting businesses trafficking in Schedule I or II drugs from taking business tax deductions.We've had our issues with the medical marijuana industry, but those involved deserve a consistent answer as to how the federal government views them.The medical marijuana business is a risky one, since marijuana use and distribution remain illegal at the federal level. There is always the possibility the Justice Department could change its views — and with the recent letter from Colorado's U.S. Attorney John Walsh, it appears they are at least refining their views of what's acceptable — or that a new president would backtrack on the directive Attorney General Eric Holder issued. It advised U.S. attorneys that the Justice Department should not go after people with cancer using medical marijuana as part of a recommended treatment regimen that complies with state law."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," it said. Snipped   Complete Article: http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_17934406Source: Denver Post (CO)Published: April 27, 2011Copyright: 2011 The Denver Post Website: http://www.denverpost.com/Contact: openforum denverpost.comCannabisNews  Medical Marijuana  Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help 
     
     
     
     




Comment #2 posted by Hope on April 27, 2011 at 23:10:50 PT
Gov. Chris Gregoire is a "she", a woman.
From Comment 1: "Earlier this month, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said he wouldn't sign legislation to license marijuana dispensaries after the Justice Department warned it could result in a federal crackdown."Organized prohibitionists wanted that pure "Repeal" in Montana so badly... they just are going to go ahead and use it for propaganda anyway... like it really became law. Then just mention that it was actually vetoed in the next sentence, along with the promise that prohibitionists are still going after the voter approved initiative to prove how much they just love "Democracy"."Montana lawmakers passed an outright repeal of medical marijuana in that state after federal raids."
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 27, 2011 at 12:12:30 PT
Federal Pot Warning Sent to Colorado Lawmakers
April 27, 2011Denver -- (AP) - Colorado is the latest state to receive marijuana warnings from the federal government as state lawmakers mull regulating the drug.The top federal prosecutor in Colorado sent a letter Tuesday to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and some lawmakers. The letter says that states shouldn't pass bills that appear to authorize the medical marijuana business because the drug is still illegal under federal law.Other states considering marijuana legislation have faced federal questions. Earlier this month, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said he wouldn't sign legislation to license marijuana dispensaries after the Justice Department warned it could result in a federal crackdown.Montana lawmakers passed an outright repeal of medical marijuana in that state after federal raids. The repeal was vetoed, but a bill limiting marijuana dispensaries awaits Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.Copyright: 2011 Associated Press
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment