Obamas DEA, Same as Bush DEA, medical marijuana and states rights still under attack - The Orange Mane

cutthemdown · 02-05-2009, 07:27 PM

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,4249491.story

A raid by federal agents of several Westside medical marijuana dispensaries has generated outrage among advocates of the drug, some of whom had expressed hope that the federal government would halt such crackdowns once President Obama took office.

At least three groups of officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration simultaneously served search warrants on dispensaries Tuesday about noon, said Sarah Pullen, a DEA spokeswoman.

"I can't get into details as to the probable cause behind the warrants except for the fact that they're dealing with marijuana, which is illegal under federal law," she said.

State law, however, is a different matter. In 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, which legalized marijuana for seriously ill patients and reduced criminal penalties for possession. But that conflicts with federal law.

Medical marijuana advocates were hopeful when Obama, while on the campaign trail, said he supported prescriptions for medical marijuana as long as the drug was regulated and that he didn't plan to use Justice Department resources to circumvent state laws. Tuesday's raids showed that, so far, things haven't changed.

"The local government is trying to implement Prop. 215, but while they're doing that we've got the federal government intimidating property owners and raiding facilities," said Don Duncan, co-founder of Americans for Safe Access, which promotes safe and legal access to marijuana. The group is planning a noon rally today at the L.A. federal building.

"What would be best for the people in California is if the federal government backed off and let the local government regulate this issue."

L.A. City Council members placed a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries in 2007 while they weighed whether to tighten city regulation of them.

"Until we get something on the books, we're going to have more of these conflicts," Councilman Dennis Zine said.

Federal agents make a handful of dispensary raids each year in Los Angeles.

"DEA has a legal right to do what they're doing," said Charlie Beck, chief of detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department. "Is it controversial? Yes."

At the heart of the controversy are places like the Beach Center Collective in Playa del Rey, where an employee said DEA officers confiscated so much property Tuesday that it would not be able to reopen.

"They took everything," said the 32-year-old employee, who asked not to be named out of fear of prosecution.

"You name it, they took it -- right down to the television. The computer, patient files, medicine, cash in the register -- that's it, we're done."

Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, deputy state director of the Drug Policy Alliance Network, said it's up to the Obama administration to resolve the dispute.

watermock · 02-05-2009, 10:34 PM

Never waste a chance to enhance revenue.

Cali is gonna climb itself out of debt, 1 dime bag at a time....

cutthemdown · 02-06-2009, 09:57 AM

Obama catered to the medical marijuana crowd for votes in the election saying his justice dept would leave that to the states. Since he won he really changed his tone, even on his webpage. Just a little small example of how Obama said anything just to get votes and will worry about the fallout of not keeping then in 4 yrs. Worst case scenario is he doesn't win again. WHo cares ge got into white house and that was all he cared about.

epicSocialism4tw · 02-06-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watermock

Cali is gonna climb itself out of debt, 1 dime bag at a time....

That's a solid quote, Mock.

The criminalization of Marijuana is a gigantic waste of money.

Pseudofool · 02-06-2009, 03:12 PM

I doubt Obama's thought about this for one second since taking office. There might be a time for them to rethink the role of the DEA, but it's certainly not now.

Jesus, if they'd just legalize the stuff, there'd be so much legitimate taxable transactions that could really help the economy right now.

epicSocialism4tw · 02-06-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudofool

I doubt Obama's thought about this for one second since taking office. There might be a time for them to rethink the role of the DEA, but it's certainly not now.

Jesus, if they'd just legalize the stuff, there'd be so much legitimate taxable transactions that could really help the economy right now.

They'd also be able to just about empty out our prisons, saving us even more money annually than taxes would generate Im sure.

cutthemdown · 02-06-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pseudofool

I doubt Obama's thought about this for one second since taking office. There might be a time for them to rethink the role of the DEA, but it's certainly not now.

Jesus, if they'd just legalize the stuff, there'd be so much legitimate taxable transactions that could really help the economy right now.

Naw he reversed his stance after he won. I think because his transition team found out there would be a huge backlash at the DEA if they couldn't keep going after the medical marijuana. Obama prob figured its not paramount to the economy or the country, the pro weed crowd is a small lobby not worth caring about, and he relented.

Smart move I was only pointing out he reversed course on this.

02-05-2009, 07:27 PM	#1
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,430	Obamas DEA, Same as Bush DEA, medical marijuana and states rights still under attack http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,4249491.story A raid by federal agents of several Westside medical marijuana dispensaries has generated outrage among advocates of the drug, some of whom had expressed hope that the federal government would halt such crackdowns once President Obama took office. At least three groups of officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration simultaneously served search warrants on dispensaries Tuesday about noon, said Sarah Pullen, a DEA spokeswoman. "I can't get into details as to the probable cause behind the warrants except for the fact that they're dealing with marijuana, which is illegal under federal law," she said. State law, however, is a different matter. In 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, which legalized marijuana for seriously ill patients and reduced criminal penalties for possession. But that conflicts with federal law. Medical marijuana advocates were hopeful when Obama, while on the campaign trail, said he supported prescriptions for medical marijuana as long as the drug was regulated and that he didn't plan to use Justice Department resources to circumvent state laws. Tuesday's raids showed that, so far, things haven't changed. "The local government is trying to implement Prop. 215, but while they're doing that we've got the federal government intimidating property owners and raiding facilities," said Don Duncan, co-founder of Americans for Safe Access, which promotes safe and legal access to marijuana. The group is planning a noon rally today at the L.A. federal building. "What would be best for the people in California is if the federal government backed off and let the local government regulate this issue." L.A. City Council members placed a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries in 2007 while they weighed whether to tighten city regulation of them. "Until we get something on the books, we're going to have more of these conflicts," Councilman Dennis Zine said. Federal agents make a handful of dispensary raids each year in Los Angeles. "DEA has a legal right to do what they're doing," said Charlie Beck, chief of detectives at the Los Angeles Police Department. "Is it controversial? Yes." At the heart of the controversy are places like the Beach Center Collective in Playa del Rey, where an employee said DEA officers confiscated so much property Tuesday that it would not be able to reopen. "They took everything," said the 32-year-old employee, who asked not to be named out of fear of prosecution. "You name it, they took it -- right down to the television. The computer, patient files, medicine, cash in the register -- that's it, we're done." Margaret Dooley-Sammuli, deputy state director of the Drug Policy Alliance Network, said it's up to the Obama administration to resolve the dispute.

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02-05-2009, 10:34 PM	#2
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Never waste a chance to enhance revenue. Cali is gonna climb itself out of debt, 1 dime bag at a time....

02-06-2009, 09:57 AM	#3
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,430	Obama catered to the medical marijuana crowd for votes in the election saying his justice dept would leave that to the states. Since he won he really changed his tone, even on his webpage. Just a little small example of how Obama said anything just to get votes and will worry about the fallout of not keeping then in 4 yrs. Worst case scenario is he doesn't win again. WHo cares ge got into white house and that was all he cared about.

02-06-2009, 03:12 PM	#5
Pseudofool Cynic at Large Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Kingdom of Solipsism Posts: 2,886 Adopt-a-Bronco: Me?	I doubt Obama's thought about this for one second since taking office. There might be a time for them to rethink the role of the DEA, but it's certainly not now. Jesus, if they'd just legalize the stuff, there'd be so much legitimate taxable transactions that could really help the economy right now.