Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

Attorney general signals shift in marijuana policy
By DEVLIN BARRETT Devlin Barrett

WASHINGTON – 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 policy of 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.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090319/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/medical_marijuana

[Zhade]

1. It's a good start -- but only a start. This proven-beneficial herb should be legal for all adults.

Still, encouraging news... for the next eight years, anyway.

[earcandle]

9. I Agree!

[roseBudd]

2. You are able to read this because of newspapers that cooperatively fund the AP

[EFerrari]

13. And we should all be grateful for Authorized Propaganda!

[roseBudd]

14. And no newsgathering is better? Because contrary to popular belief

Joe the Plumber covering Gaza compliments of Pajamas Media is not sufficient.

[EFerrari]

15. You must be hanging out with the wrong crowd if you resort to Sam the Joe.

:)

[roseBudd]

16. What unpaid bloggers are doing more than commenting on the news?

[midnight]

3. Change the federal law.

[harry_pothead]

4. Finally states rights is being used for something other than racism.

[Bonobo]

5. B, but... Where's the CHANGE!? nt

[Canuckistanian]

6. That's encouraging

Some said he'd be continuing the same draconian marijuana policies 'way back when he was being considered for the position.

Still, it's just rumours right now that he favors outright federal decriminalization.

[defendandprotect]

7. If we want to end corruption -- and secret government -- ending the Drug War is the way to do it . .

[The Wizard]

11. Under the cover of war

the government can suspend Constitutional guarantees until that war is declared over. Bush's war on terror (a tactic) gave him carte blanch to piss on the Constitution. The war on drugs (a thing) allows the government to invade our privacy. I think some guy Orwell wrote about this in another century.
The only domestic war the government declared that didn't intrude on privacy was the war on poverty, and that was defunded to pay for the Vietnam fiasco. Of course declaring a war on poverty was as useless as a bull with tits, but at least there was a positive goal without a trail of victims.

[defendandprotect]

12. We need to encourage Obama to get working on homelessness and renew

the "War on Poverty" . . . long time no see!!!

Vietnam was another avenue to resources -- tin, rubber, oil -- and DRUGS --

not so different now from what's happening in Afghanistan -- and Iraq.

Here we are again in "perpetual" wars....

And GOP plans to keep these going 100 yeas!!!

[Natural Wonder]

8. hip hip hooray!!!!!!!!!!!

You know, I do not smoke the stuff but do study herbalism and have known this herb to help many a people. Perhaps Drs Fry - will be able to appeal their 5 year sentence. I sat in on the trial. She had cancer and her husband and her, both medical doctors are now in the slammer. Oh by the way, the marijuana healed the cancer.

oh oh do not tread on big pharma.

Enjoy the link

http://stopthedrugwar.org/in_the_trenches/2008/mar/18/march_19_2008_dr_mollie_fry_to_b

[earcandle]

10. Wow! That is so mean. Lets get them out now!