Obama reins in Fed attack dog on States' and Individuals' rights

[Chewbacca]

A big step down the road towards liberty and justice for All.
Are "we" finally getting the 'drug war' is only good for the bad guys and private prison corps?


Here is an excerpt from a liberal leaning OP piece on the topic.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwa...9/10/19/drugs/

Obama's commendable change in federal drug enforcement policy This is one of those rare instances of unadulterated good news from Washington: The Obama administration will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws, under new policy guidelines to be sent to federal prosecutors Monday. 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 laws. 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. Criminalizing cancer and AIDS patients for using a substance that is (a) prescribed by their doctors and (b) legal under the laws of their state has always been abominable. The Obama administration deserves major credit not only for ceasing this practice, but for memorializing it formally in writing. Just as is true for Jim Webb's brave crusade to radically revise the nation's criminal justice and drug laws, there is little political gain -- and some political risk -- in adopting a policy that can be depicted as "soft on drugs" or even "pro-marijuana." It's a change that has concrete benefits for many people who are sick and for those who provide them with treatments that benefit them. So credit where it's due to the Obama DOJ, for fulfilling a long-standing commitment on this issue. Beyond the tangible benefits to patients and providers, there is the issue of states' right. Fourteen states have legalized medical marijuana, many by referendum. The Bush administration's refusal to honor or even recognize those states' decisions -- by arresting people for doing things which are perfectly legal under state law -- was one of many examples giving the lie to the conservative movement's alleged belief in federalism and limited federal power (see here, for instance, how John Ashcroft and GOP Senators tried deceitfully and undemocratically to exploit the aftermath of 9/11 to prevent Oregon from implementing its assisted suicide law). Constitutionally and otherwise, what possible justification is there for federalizing decisions about whether individuals can use marijuana for medical purposes? Ironically (given the "socialism" and "fascism" rhetoric spewed at it by the Fox News faction), the Obama administration's decision is a major advancement for the rights of states to have their laws respected by the federal government.

[Morgeruat]

Not really in favor of marijuana use, but I'm glad to see the states rights being reaffirmed, and state sovereignty upheld, for once...

[ElfBane]

Fully in favor of complete legalization of marijuana.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by ElfBane Fully in favor of complete legalization of marijuana.

Me too. This year MA decriminalized possesion through the will of the voters and medical leglislation is expected sooner than later.
Although some towns will dole out the $100 fine and authorities can still confiscate your plants that hasn't stopped the on-going celebration of what freedom really means when even a bit-part of it is restored.

[Timber Loftis]

As a friend of mine once said, mary jane shouldn't be illegal because it just doesn't get you very f'd up.

That said, this kind of backing off of federalism is exactly the kind of change I voted for. Let's hope it continues. Long live Hopey Change.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Morgeruat Not really in favor of marijuana use...

Hey Morgeruat, I'm just curious, if a doctor recommended and prescribed it to you in a hypothetical situation, would you use it?

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Timber Loftis As a friend of mine once said, mary jane shouldn't be illegal because it just doesn't get you very f'd up.

Which is why thousands, if not millions, of folks who use it everyday as medicine still function perfectly "normal" (those with conditions that allow).

The old films showed and recycled for decades depicting outrageous reefer madness type behavior is some of the clearest examples of outright false propaganda we have. Few people do report suffering adverse effects and having an unpleasant expirience (one study suggests 3%). Many have no complaints at all except maybe of hunger.

[Morgeruat]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca Hey Morgeruat, I'm just curious, if a doctor recommended and prescribed it to you in a hypothetical situation, would you use it?

I'd ask my dr. about alternatives, for whatever reason it was prescribed, just as I'm sure a fair amount of the "medical marijuana" users did to get prescribed the substance in the first place.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Morgeruat I'd ask my dr. about alternatives, for whatever reason it was prescribed, just as I'm sure a fair amount of the "medical marijuana" users did to get prescribed the substance in the first place.

That's just it, Marijuana is a highly effective medicine. It works so well for certain conditions, it would be virtually irresponsible for a doctor not to mention or recommend it.

[Raistlin Majere]

I'd choose marijuana over factory processed chemicals with god knows what side effects any day of the week.