Feds to Issue New Medical Marijuana Policy

[BuyingThyme]

Posted: Monday, 19 October 2009 6:13AM

Feds to Issue New Medical Marijuana Policy


WASHINGTON (AP) _ Federal drug agents won't pursue pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers in states that allow medical marijuana, under new legal guidelines to be issued Monday by the Obama administration.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

The guidelines to be issued by the department do, however, make it clear that agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes, the officials said.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

...

http://www.kcbs.com/pages/5471360.php?contentType=4&contentId=4893917

[el_bryanto]

1. Obama is going to respect States Rights? Amazing.

Glenn Greenwald wrote about this earlier, singling it out for praise (as he's been regularly quite critical of Obama).

Bryant

[opihimoimoi]

2. Why amazing...its logical, reasonable, and sane

[FormerDittoHead]

3. I guess we're just running out of money and have to cut back on the prisons and all as well.

Another benefit: look at the crime rate go down!

I suppose one good thing about "going bust" is that we can no longer afford to keep more people behind bars than any other country, especially for what are mostly victimless crimes.

[gateley]

4. Yes -- good point. Move those people out and make room for Bush and Co. nt

[imdjh]

5. Well I certainly am glad that pot rights got resolved.

[GodlessBiker]

8. Indeed. Rights of chickens? Check. Rights of pot users? Check. Still waiting...

[CrownPrinceBandar]

9. Even though I'm happy about this............

I haven't about forgotten gay rights. I still believe justice delayed is justice denied.

[GodlessBiker]

11. Thank you.

:toast:

[Fly by night]

6. What wonderful news on a Monday morning, as I prepare to respond to the latest 200+ pages ...

... of legalese from the feds in my own seven year battle with federal weasals over medical cannabis. Here is what I sent my attorney this morning when I forwarded this story to him:

"Although this ruling does not relate directly to my case (I don't think), it is very encouraging to see the new federal policy toward medical marijuana being articulated at this critical moment. Some have suggested that Obama will need to wait until his second term to effect any meaningful cannabis policy reforms. I think the decision to clarify now this new federal policy that is supportive of state medical marijuana programs, and for that policy to be both science-based and respectful of states' rights, suggests that all of us can and should continue to move forward in a steady fashion to bring us back to a reality-based relationship with this plant."

If we never stop fighting for common sense, compassion and medical cannabis, we will not lose.

Bernie Ellis
www.saveberniesfarm.com

[BuyingThyme]

7. :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

[tridim]

10. Such great news! The Feds were the last major fear I had.

My buddy has been trying to get me to bite on growing MMJ in our very legal MMJ state (not CA). This may clinch it.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm probably going to be a professional farmer by early next year, a dream I've had for about 15 years. :bounce:

Thank you President Obama. :)