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Feds: No more arrests for pot-smoking

Discussion in 'Fight Club' started by sphinx, Oct 20, 2009.

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sphinx Founding Member

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Feds: No more arrests for pot-smoking patients

New guidelines will apply in 14 states allowing medical use of marijuana
The Associated Press

updated 10:02 a.m. CT, Mon., Oct . 19, 2009

WASHINGTON - Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department.

Under the policy spelled out in a three-page legal memo, federal prosecutors are being 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 being issued by the department do, however, make it clear that federal 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 memo advises prosecutors they "should not focus federal resources in your states on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana."

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.

"It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

California stands out among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries — businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.

Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

The memo spelling out the policy was sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo written by Deputy Attorney General David Ogden emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

"This is a major step forward," said Bruce Mirken, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This change in policy moves the federal government dramatically toward respecting scientific and practical reality."

At the same time, officials said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity.

In particular, the memo urges prosecutors to pursue marijuana cases which involve violence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or involvement in other crimes.

And while the policy memo describes a change in priorities away from prosecuting medical marijuana cases, it does not rule out the possibility that the federal government could still prosecute someone whose activities are allowed under state law.

The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to U.S. attorneys in the states that allow medical marijuana. It notes that pot sales in the United States are the largest source of money for violent Mexican drug cartels, but adds that federal law enforcement agencies have limited resources.

Medical marijuana advocates have been anxious to see exactly how the administration would implement candidate Barack Obama's repeated promises to change the policy in situations in which state laws allow the use of medical marijuana.

Soon after Obama took office, DEA agents raided four dispensaries in Los Angeles, prompting confusion about the government's plans.

So when they make it legal, where will you smoke it?
I mean they can't exactly say it's ok to smoke it in public.

sphinx, Oct 20, 2009

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rbohm Founding Member

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sphinx said: ↑

So when they make it legal, where will you smoke it?
I mean they can't exactly say it's ok to smoke it in public.

you forget that these are dope smoking hippy liberals we are talking about here, remember? cigarettes bad, marijuana good. cigarettes cant smoke anywhere, marijuana can smoke anywhere.

rbohm, Oct 21, 2009

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Strype Cuthbert catcher

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I would just like to announce that if you have to be liberal to want pot legalized, then consider me liberal!

Strype, Oct 21, 2009

#3
polozLX New Member

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I think it's great. Wait. I love Cheeto's.

polozLX, Oct 21, 2009

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strtrcr50 New Member

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strtrcr50, Oct 21, 2009

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MeanMike New Member

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Hey if it's legal to smoke cig's and drink beer then why the hell should'nt weed be legal.

MeanMike, Oct 21, 2009

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Dusstbuster I love meat more than anything! I just have a spec

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This only affects federal agents...your local/state police can still arrest and cite you if it's illegal in your state...it is unless you have a medical reason to be using it in what...7 states? Everywhere else you'll still be in trouble.

Dusstbuster, Oct 21, 2009

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jikelly Well-Known Member

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I hate weed. I've seen how it affects people and I think it's a terrible, habit forming drug.

Still I accept that the drug does do some people good and would likely vote yes for its legalization.

Posted via Mobile Device

jikelly, Oct 21, 2009

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Bluffing024 Active Member

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jikelly said: ↑

I hate weed. I've seen how it affects people and I think it's a terrible, habit forming drug.

Still I accept that the drug does do some people good and would likely vote yes for its legalization.

Posted via Mobile Device

So much misinformation.

Bluffing024, Oct 21, 2009

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MeanMike New Member

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jikelly said: ↑

I hate weed. I've seen how it affects people and I think it's a terrible, habit forming drug.

Still I accept that the drug does do some people good and would likely vote yes for its legalization.

Posted via Mobile Device

You really dont have a clue. Stop watching those stupid commercial's. And maybe do some research.

MeanMike, Oct 21, 2009

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MeanMike New Member

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Bluffing024 said: ↑

So much misinformation.

Too say the least.

MeanMike, Oct 21, 2009

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MeanMike New Member

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MeanMike, Oct 21, 2009

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fiveohwblow Mustang Master

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Which misinformation are you speaking about?

fiveohwblow, Oct 21, 2009

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MeanMike New Member

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pottymouth said: ↑

Which misinformation are you speaking about?

The real affect's of smoking weed.

MeanMike, Oct 21, 2009

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fiveohwblow Mustang Master

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Am I to understand you two are opposed to the perspective to weed being a habit forming drug?

fiveohwblow, Oct 21, 2009

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poneypower89 Now everyone in the world will know I wanna bang t

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pottymouth said: ↑

Am I to understand you two are opposed to the perspective to weed being a habit forming drug?

Talk about a choice set of words there.

Tell me... what ISN'T potentionally habit forming? Just curious... I mean... I have a habit of brushing my teeth as soon as I wake up and constantly needing at least SOMETHING in my hand (phone, pen, umbrella, doesn't matter).

Did you mean "Addictive?" or did you really mean "Habit Forming?"

poneypower89, Oct 21, 2009

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Bluffing024 Active Member

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poneypower89 said: ↑

Talk about a choice set of words there.

Tell me... what ISN'T potentionally habit forming? Just curious... I mean... I have a habit of brushing my teeth as soon as I wake up and constantly needing at least SOMETHING in my hand (phone, pen, umbrella, doesn't matter).

Did you mean "Addictive?" or did you really mean "Habit Forming?"

He says habit forming because he can't say addictive.

Bluffing024, Oct 21, 2009

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MeanMike New Member

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pottymouth said: ↑

Am I to understand you two are opposed to the perspective to weed being a habit forming drug?

Masterbating is habit forming, what's your point?

MeanMike, Oct 21, 2009

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Venom351R Founding Member

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To be legal they would have to change it from its current classification of a Class A drug

Venom351R, Oct 21, 2009

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jikelly Well-Known Member

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Sorry I said habit forming, but that is what I meant to say.

I've no idea if the drug is addictive. I know people who were heavy smokers at one time who have totally given it up and I know others who continue to smoke pot on a regular basis.

My opinion is based upon my personal experience and observations. Not upon the years of just say no and DARE campaigns I've been targeted by.

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jikelly, Oct 21, 2009

#20

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