Today, the Obama administration along with the Justice department issued a memo to the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency telling them to ease up on the prosecution of medical marijuana users. This is basically a reversal of the Bush administrations stance on the issue. The memo basically told federal prosecutors to focus more on illegal drug trafficking while leaving medicinal marijuana alone as long as they complied with state laws allowing such activities.
Does this mean medicinal marijuana users don't have to worry any more? Not exactly. There has been no law passed stating that medicinal marijuana is legal in the United States. This "memo" sent out merely reflects a policy change on the enforcement of federal laws on marijuana. So while medicinal marijuana dispensaries may not be raided anymore, that doesn't mean the federal government has given up the power to do so. They can still raid medical marijuana facilities and arrest individuals if it is determined that some other illegal activity has taken place involving firearms, violence, illegal sales to minors, money laundering or other violations of U.S. law.
So what do you think will happen?
~Victor Hung
Monday, October 19, 2009
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18 comments:
I think that this was a smart move because now the federal prosecutors and the FBI can focus on the actual problem area of illegal drug trafficking.
Go Obama for this one!
I agree, I believe that it is a waste of man-power and funds to raid medical marijuana dispenseries while the real probably is illegal drug trafficking. Hopefully this is a move into making maruijuana illegal beyond its medical uses.
Have you ever thought that these stockpiles might be raided by drug smugglers? Maybe raiding is a bit of a strong word, but you get the point.
Well Kevin, I believe that if illegal drug traffickers target the stockpiles, then that would then be classified as an illegal act and the federal government would intervene. Note that the federal government is only allowing what the states have deemed legal to occur, any other activities would be treated and dealt with as any other crime would be.
I can't agree more. It is a waste of time and money to raid medical marjuana dispensaries while the real problem lies somewhere else. Which is illegal drug trafficking. Laws should be passed banning medical marijuana in the United States to avoid any confusion. Eventhough it is not directly stated, people should still get the implication that it is not allowed.
I agree with Victor. If illegal drug traffickers WERE to target the stockpiles, they would be commiting a crime and government action will be involved.
I feel like the previous policy was really stupid, actually. Is it because of the supremacy clause that the federal government can "raid" things that are legal in the state?
Anyways, I think that we have a lot more pressing issues, like, say illegal drug trafficking to worry about. Props to Obama.
-Katie Jensen
While yes, the concept of "raiding" anything is negative in nature you have to realize that the cops have to actually have a reason in order to "raid" anything. Also, not to bash anyone, but why in god's name would anyone besides the police be dumb enough to steal medical pot. That would only make them a target when they could simply go through the black market which is much more secretive then bursting in and holding up a weed farm.
More then that, the government can't actually tell cops not to follow the law, which is actually what they are doing by raiding these places. What Obama really did was just say the smart thing. Quit bashing the pot heads and go after the people giving the druggies their stash and shooting people up.
But it's really important to know that weed is really on the bottom of the list for law enforcers. We have that thing called Meth which just so happens to be a little worse and explosive if it's a lab.
To me, the whole situation seems kind of backward and contradictory. So medical marijuana is still technically illegal according to federal law, but now states can allow it without any federal interference? I think Obama's new policy is a step in the right direction, but I think in the long run, a more significant policy change should be made. Federal law should be officially changed so that the legality of medical marijuana is left for the states to decide.
Pretty much everyone mentioned something I was going to comment on-
however, I did want to throw out there that I agree with Sarah in that there is need for more of a "significant" change. Though it is a much better policy than what the previous administration had, it DOES seem contradictory.
"There has been no law passed stating that medicinal marijuana is legal in the United States. This "memo" sent out merely reflects a policy change on the enforcement of federal laws on marijuana."
So, it seems like, this "memo" doesn't do anything concrete. So, again, agreeing with Sarah, this step in the right direction needs to be developed.
I totally agree with everyone, as we all seem to believe there are much more important issues to deal with rather than wasting time and money dealing with medical marijuana. However, I see Phoebe's point regarding taking this initial step even further.
Unfortunately, having done my debate on the legalization of marijuana last year, the argument is actually much closer than one may initially think.
I feel like even though the legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic in the news for a while now, it will take some time, and the effort of many persistent debaters, to actually get something done to further this initial step.
I do agree with everyone's comments explaining that it was a good move for Obama because it would stop the more important issue of illegal trafficking of drugs. But I am afraid that there will be some conservative backlash in which conservatives will consider this a waste of time while there are more pressing issues that Obama should be taking care of. But then again now a days every issue compared to the economy is seen as a waste of time to most conservatives. I think that it is kind of a sticky situation because it may create even more division amongst liberals and conservatives
"Well Kevin, I believe that if illegal drug traffickers target the stockpiles, then that would then be classified as an illegal act and the federal government would intervene."
Then don't you see the big picture?
The stockpiles are contributing to the drug smuggling problem because that's just one more source that authorities have to worry about.
Well Kevin, if the authorities are focusing more on the illegal drug trafficking, I'd think that this would entail them focusing more on limiting the targeting of those stockpiles. It's like hitting two birds with one stone. The prosecutors focus and limit illegal drug trafficking by limiting their tapping into the stockpiles.
-Henry Zhang
I must say, you guys have brought up many good points, and i agree with most of them. It is good taht the OBama administration decided to ease up on the medical marijuana users. First of all, i think that it is good that there is medical marijuana to help out people who need it. IT is better having more choices to help a patient in need than less. Sure it may be harmful in some ways, but marijuana can really help some people, i believe.
THis is great that they are easing up so now focus can be put on more important things. Many of you mentioned this, and i agree. However, as others also said, this does not mean that the government won't reverse the easing. I agree taht they should take bigger steps.
There are many more things and issues that our governmetn should be focusing on than marijuana.
I couldn't agree with you more, Henry. By shifting their focus more towards illegal drug trafficking, they're not only cracking down on illegal activities (dealing with harder drugs and narcotics), they're also protecting medical marijuana vendors' practices, as this new shift will help to crack down on those selling marijuana for conventional use under the guise of being a medical marijuana supplier. Completely ignoring the argument of whether or not conventional marijuana should be legal or not (a topic too broad to be discussed here), this shift will at least help to secure medical marijuana sources for those who actually need it.
Also, if medical marijuana becomes legal in the United States, then states and local governments can tax the sale of medical marijuana and in turn bring in more revenue.
I agree with Victor's previous comment. If medical marijuana was legal in the United States, and states were able to tax medical marijuana, the revenue could really help. This would especially be helpful since we are in a recession and the government could use any money it can get.
I think it is a waste of funds to raid medical marijuana dispensaries as well. If doctors prescribe marijuana to patients and deem it necessary, then the government should not go raiding dispensaries and disrupting the peace. Instead, ILLEGAL drug trafficking is more important. It is better to stop people who don't really need marijuana for their health than stop people who do need it. I'm glad this new policy is heading in a better direction.
i think to stop confusion of whether it is just a memo or actual law change obama should present a law that follows this recent policy change because it is a positive change for medical marijuana, which is only a benefit for those who need it
a law would allow those who need it to have the supply and make it clear that illegal drug trafficking is what should be penalized by the federal government, not those who need the drug for medical purposes
so legalization!
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