Buzz Kill: Federal Warnings Hit Medical Pot Boom

Buzz Kill: Federal Warnings Hit Medical Pot Boom

www.npr.org

From California to Arizona, Colorado to Maine, states across the country are legalizing the sale of medical marijuana. Recent warnings from U.S. attorneys, however, are making local governments rethink their plans.

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"In 2009, the Department of Justice indicated that it would be a low priority to prosecute anyone who was complying with state medical marijuana laws," Jay Rorty of the American Civil Liberties Union explains. He says the 2009 memo from then-Deputy Attorney General David Ogden made advocates think the federal government wouldn't interfere with state medical marijuana stores.

Policy has been a low priority for federal prosecutors to take any action against state-compliant medical-user patients but these clinincs and grow factories are a different matter, they are springing-up like weeds and making big bucks. It's a big business and a big new racket.

The medical growers are now the ones who are taking the boldest steps against efforts to normalize the laws regarding the plant. They are becoming the new stumbling block against grass-roots efforts by the people who favor normalization and an industrial hemp industry.

The weedy are getting greedy now and the feds are stepping-in to put a lid on them. The medical users are wondering where they will be getting their supplies while those who have sought normalization for an industrial hemp industry are losing support from the ones finding big profits from their little corner of the new market,

There is a viscious circle that has been forming, those who truly see the the value and what society can gain from an industrial hemp industry vs those who just see the value of a semi-legitimized users market. It's the same story all over again but with new player switching sides. Partial prohibition is profitable but the new medical market creates more barriers against bringing this very useful industrial plant to the consumers. The semi-legitimized drug market is a new can of worms for the wrong reasons.

www.npr.org

reply to post by Erongaricuaro


one way the president could ease the tension between patients and law enforcement is to make some kind of declaration to support medical patients rights. something like:

1. patients who are within the guidelines of their state's medical marijuana program are exempt from federal prosecution.

2a. patients right to work will not be infringed for failing pre-employment drug testing.

2b. patients cannot be fired for failing a post employment drug test.

3. caregivers (growers) for patients are protected from federal prosecution if they are within their state's medical laws.

4. dispensaries will be regulated and protected as any other business.

5. doctors will have the freedom to prescribe medical marijuana without interference from the federal government as long as doctor meets state's guidelines.

i'm not saying we should allow anyone to come to perform brain surgery all red eyed and hungry. but we should apply the same reasoning to medical marijuana as we do to prescription pain tablets. (vicodin, oxycontin, etc. )


just my 2cents.

-subfab

I wish people would pay more attention to this issue instead of focusing on the fact that is, after all, pot. This is another case of the Federal Government overstepping it's powers.

The states pass laws, yet the Federal Government is claiming to supersede those laws and have the "supreme" power...in contradiction with the Constitution. States' sovereignty should be supported by all and fought for by all regardless of the issue and whether or not it's controversial.

Much like the TSA searches, this is only the beginning. First pot, next healthcare, immigration laws, etc.

So who has the ultimate authority? I vote with the Constitution and unequivocally support the states rights. I hope everyone else sees this for what it is and begins fighting for ending the supreme rule of the Federal Gov't.

reply to post by lpowell0627


You are absolutely correct there is a much larger issue here than just a "buzz-kill" and federal forces stepping-in to subdue the stoner. Even here at ATS this is likely to be sent to the back shelves because it involves the hot topic of pot, but the issue is much broader. It is the many-faceted and has a whole new textile industry that should have been in place for some 60-70 years but is being shelved by the "big operators" who have used the pot-scare tactic to prevent competition. All the while public attitude about even the drug aspect of this matter has been gaining wide acceptance and is now a matter of the feds over-stepping.

Conceding hemp to the people's demands for it would make their Drug War much more popular, acceptable, and manageable. With this concession they might even have a chance of making it work, at least it would work along the will of the people.

Edit to add: Oh jeez, how was I to know this topic would be moved? Right, like money that has traces of dope on it (as does all money that is in circulation) this issue was tainted with pot so had to be quarrantined.

HEY! There is a much larger issue at play here. It is true that dope makes people short-sighted, only it is not the users of it but the others that just wish to sweep it aside. They do so, society does so at its own peril.

reply to post by lpowell0627


very true, state's rights are being trampled on. the funny thing is whenever i try to bring this subject up, i get the same response. you are just one of those "potheads" only care about drugs. now please note: i do not smoke. with that said, i don't care what anyone does in their home. and the people i talk to know this. but i get the response none the less.

bottom line is the people need to stand up and say something. unfortunately as long as john q. public still has his starbucks talking about reality shows, downloading lady gaga and justin beiber, nothing much will change.

-subfab