Ending the Medical Marijuana Raids

[Jim Finnel]

As you probably know by now, the DEA has continued to raid medical marijuana facilities that are perfectly legal under state law where they are located even after Obama, who opposes such raids, was inaugurated. Last week there were two such raids, both in California.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided at least two Westside marijuana dispensaries Tuesday, and a spokesperson defended their actions, despite President Barack Obama's opposition to such raids.

One of the raids was at the Marina Caregivers at 730 W. Washington Blvd. about noon, said Sarah Pullen of the DEA.

Pullen defended the raids:
Asked about Obama's comments that he did not want to waste Justice Department resources on raiding medical marijuana shops, Pullen said that "marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

"The law is still that it is illegal to possess, distribute or cultivate marijuana in any way," she said.

Which is not particularly relevant. Yes, the Supreme Court wrongly ruled in Raich that the federal government had the constitutional authority to overrule state laws on medical marijuana, but having the power to do something does not mean one must exercise that power. Picking and choosing where to spend limited resources is a normal function of law enforcement.

Obama pledged to end these raids during the campaign, but Reuters quotes Pullen as saying that they have received no directive from the White House to stop them:
Asked about those comments, Pullen said, "There has been no direction as to a change in how we ... enforce federal law." The DEA is a Justice Department agency.

But the White House says this will change as they get new people in place:
White House spokesman Nick Shapiro on Wednesday reiterated Obama's stance that "federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws."

"And as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind," Shapiro said.

He's only three weeks into his term, so of course it's hardly a shock that Obama hasn't done everything that he promised to do already. But I do hope that now that this has become a public problem, he will issue an order to the DEA to suspend such raids until they've got a new person in charge. As chief executive, he has the full authority to do so. And it's quite obvious that the DEA is not going to stop doing this until they're ordered to.


News Hawk: User: 420 Magazine
Source: ScienceBlogs
Author: Ed Brayton
Copyright: 2009 ScienceBlogs LLC
Contact: ScienceBlogs
Website: Dispatches from the Culture Wars: Ending the Medical Marijuana Raids

 

[Bonehead]

Anyone ever wonder why we don't hear about other drugs being stopped by the DEA? Other busts or large seizures? I believe it is due to the fact it is so easy to bust MJ facilities. Let's see; go after big time hard drug dealers or defenseless MJ facility. All a DEA agent has to do is go to google maps, right? Most dispensaries have addresses. Although we have come a long way since the 1980's and the numbers continue to grow on our side (no pun intended). It seems the one's against us are more adamant and more venomous than ever.

 

[ForbiddenAct]

Anyone ever wonder why we don't hear about other drugs being stopped by the DEA? Other busts or large seizures? I believe it is due to the fact it is so easy to bust MJ facilities. Let's see; go after big time hard drug dealers or defenseless MJ facility. All a DEA agent has to do is go to google maps, right? Most dispensaries have addresses. Although we have come a long way since the 1980's and the numbers continue to grow on our side (no pun intended). It seems the one's against us are more adamant and more venomous than ever.

Maybe its because they don't shoot back during a raid...

What do you think the DEA will say to California when they let 40% of their prison population go free, and all of those released are Marijuana supporters, that never broke any other laws. DEA still needs to convict, and a jury of twelve is becoming harder and harder to find. Soon they might have to ship them to Guantánamo Bay so the DEA will get their fair trail

 

[Keith Lake]

The new show on Spike called DEA is a step in the wrong direction.

Here, our Federal government is partnering with Hollywood in effort to glamorize the jackboot SWAT methodology. It's pretty bad the way they refer to their gear and mission as if it's a good thing.

I hope it's a ratings flop

 

[Pinch]

I got an email on this yesterday and posted it in MM Lounge...I think.

DEA Done With Medical Cannabis - OBAMA!

In any case it is a good read, a good article...

 

[Keith Lake]

That's a great start (thanks for posting).

Here's a toast that they're done with all marijuana

 

[Cherma]

Here, our Federal government is partnering with Hollywood in effort to glamorize the jackboot SWAT methodology. It's pretty bad the way they refer to their gear and mission as if it's a good thing.

I hope it's a ratings flop

We have a choice as to watch this or not. I choose the later.

American Capitalism at its finest. As a citizen of the USA and paying my fair share of taxes, this is wrong, same as John Bunnel of COPS. He made his mark in Oregon in the
70's along with the former Convicted Deputy Scott Deppe who was sentenced & served time in SICI for their botched raids and innocent lives were lost.

Soon the Dark Environment Around us will have their marching orders to stop these raids. Unfortunately until this happens, we all must keep pressing on our elected officials to change this scenario. The DEA will need a larger war chest of seized bootie to help fund and finance many other operations in their fold, and they understand as most Pirates do, that the Medical Cannabis raids are easy targets for increasing their war chest.