Proposed Bill: State/Local Agencies Shouldn't Assist Federal Medical Marijuana Raids

[Smokin Moose]

A measure by San Diego Assemblywoman Lori Saldana would make it state policy not to cooperate with federal raids on medical marijuana patients. Supporters say too many state and local law enforcement agencies have given the feds a helping hand. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

California's Prop 215 allows people to grow marijuana for medical use. The federal government considers it illegal. Federal drug agents accompanied by local law enforcement have raided growers and clinics throughout the state. Under the Assembly bill, local or state agencies could not assist in federal raids on qualified patients or caregivers. Bruce Mirken is with the Marijuana Policy Project.

Mirken: Our local tax dollars, our California resources, shouldn't be used to attack what the voters of this state chose to enact.

Critics say the measure would tie the hands of law enforcement. The bill has cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Source: KPBS News
Copywrite: KPBS News
Contact: Kenny.Goldberg@kpbs.com
Website: KPBS

 

[merickson]

Re: Proposed Bill: State/Local Agencies Shouldn't Assist Federal Medical Marijuana Ra

...Critics say the measure would tie the hands of (federal) law enforcement. ...

The proponents say the same thing.

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[Smokin Moose]

Re: Proposed Bill: State/Local Agencies Shouldn't Assist Federal Medical Marijuana Ra

Time for big Arnie to assert himself!

 

[Boss]

Re: Proposed Bill: State/Local Agencies Shouldn't Assist Federal Medical Marijuana Ra

Tha California Supreme Court already said using state funds to pay state police to help with a federal law that does not exist in California is unconstitutional. A taxpayer should not have to fund their own unlawful arrest.

 

[merickson]

Re: Proposed Bill: State/Local Agencies Shouldn't Assist Federal Medical Marijuana Ra

I might phrase that differently since the federal laws do "exist in California" (the Constitution says that CA gives "full faith and creedence" to fed. law) (Hey, could we get Blind Faith & Creedence to play a legalization benefit?)

But I bet that the CA supreme court was quite happy to make the fed.s pay for their own silly law enforcement. We waste enough of California's money on our own without help from federal law enforcement.