Feds Issue New Marijuana Policy - GoFuckYourself.com

JenniDahling · 10-19-2009, 09:31 AM

The Associated Press

Published: October 18, 2009

WASHINGTON - 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 today 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.

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 is unique 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.

Attorney General Eric 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.

A three-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo, the officials said, 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.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued.

"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, the officials said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide old-fashioned drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical marijuana business.

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.

Actual Article
The comments are pretty interesting.

munki · 10-19-2009, 09:37 AM

Nice to see things slowly moving in the right direction.

96ukssob · 10-19-2009, 09:38 AM

just reinforces the fact that pot will NEVER be legalized in the US anytime soon

Tom_PM · 10-19-2009, 09:44 AM

Was funny seeing my local news cover this today. They show clips of kids getting high, smoking bongs, smoking joints, smoking out of what looks like crack pipes, you can practically see needles sticking out of their arms..

And the story is about medical marijuana.

Why didnt they show chemotherapy patients? Doctors in lab coats? Patients with machines keeping them alive? Barfing cancer patients desperate for something to calm them and give them some relief? Guess good old stock footage of illegal drug use is "good enough" for local news huh.

JenniDahling · 10-19-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR_Tom

Was funny seeing my local news cover this today. They show clips of kids getting high, smoking bongs, smoking joints, smoking out of what looks like crack pipes, you can practically see needles sticking out of their arms..

And the story is about medical marijuana.

Why didnt they show chemotherapy patients? Doctors in lab coats? Patients with machines keeping them alive? Barfing cancer patients desperate for something to calm them and give them some relief? Guess good old stock footage of illegal drug use is "good enough" for local news huh.

Yikes!!! Amazing how the media can't be objective on hot topics like this. Saying one thing while showing another definitely sends the wrong message and the conservatives see better than they hear. The stereotype for mj users doesn't fit reality. I think until they legalize it, the media will still equate users with addicts. What they should do is compare drunk people with folks who are high. That is a much better comparison of how benign mj use is.

GayIPornSteve · 10-19-2009, 10:28 AM

Change you can believe in!

Tom_PM · 10-19-2009, 10:35 AM

Stock footage should just be banned.

Every time msnbc does a story on the economy, they run a reel of women shopping for clothes, always the same one for maybe a decade now. Watch for the black lady in the red hat handing over her credit card, then the close up of the credit card swipe.

Same with any airline story, they run the stock reel of airline shit. Watch for one scene where they zoom in on a ladies white sneakers. She's wearing jeans and her legs are crossed. This is from a million years ago when the big story on airlines was the cramped seating.

I notice weird shit.

hypedough · 10-19-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GayIPornSteve

Change you can believe in!

That's the only thing done so far that can be considered close to "change". If only Ron Paul had Obama's campaign committee.

dyna mo · 10-19-2009, 10:41 AM

nice! in celebration, i am off to visit my dealer. errr, i mean dispensary!!1

BobG · 10-19-2009, 10:50 AM

That's nice. Maybe soon adults will even be able to stay out after 2:am

LeRoy · 10-19-2009, 10:53 AM

Yep we'll know in a few years if weed is the real gateway to harder drugs.

Thats been the crutch of every 420 debate.

Fletch XXX · 10-19-2009, 11:02 AM

As a activist I am beginning to think Eric Holder is all talk and no action.

He said the same thing as soon as Obama came into office and to prove he had no power the feds began raiding and kicking in more doors than before, and whats he do>? Nothing.

Ill believe it when the raids stop, until then, he said this before and nothing changed.

bad_influence · 10-19-2009, 12:34 PM

Baby steps but at least in the right direction.

beerptrol · 10-19-2009, 12:47 PM

Can't wait to hear Rush and Glenn bash Obama for this

Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life · 10-19-2009, 12:50 PM

Keep weed illegal! It's funner this way.

RyuLion · 10-19-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobG

That's nice. Maybe soon adults will even be able to stay out after 2:am

That's how people in Lame Diego roll..

The Porn Nerd · 10-19-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

nice! in celebration, i am off to visit my dealer. errr, i mean dispensary!!1

Styx has an apropos song for this occasion: "LIGHT UP!"

Ev-er-y-bo-d-ee!

kane · 10-19-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerptrol

Can't wait to hear Rush and Glenn bash Obama for this

Rush will just be pissed that it wasn't for Oxycontin

TheDoc · 10-19-2009, 01:13 PM

Is Obama giving some rightful power back to the state?

Megan Essog · 10-19-2009, 01:13 PM

I heard about this today! I wonder if this will do anything for us Canadians?

Loosen up You 'Mericans and let us smoke da pot!

10-19-2009, 02:50 PM

Think Canada.

dav3 · 10-19-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobG

That's nice. Maybe soon adults will even be able to stay out after 2:am

fatfoo · 10-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Good move. It is good for scientific research and practical.

american pervert · 10-19-2009, 03:22 PM

drugs are bad, only losers get high

LeRoy · 10-19-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megan Essog

I heard about this today! I wonder if this will do anything for us Canadians?

Loosen up You 'Mericans and let us smoke da pot!

I like you

After Shock Media · 10-19-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by american pervert

drugs are bad, only losers get high

I do expect you to say with a straight face and zero lies that you take none of the following:

Vitamins in pill or liquid form, aspirin, antibiotics, pain killers, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, natural stimulants, sugar in its refined form including refined by bee's, any plants with additional properties, chocolate, street drugs, man made medications, nor super concentrations of given food items such as fish oil or garlic juice in capsule form.

papagmp · 10-19-2009, 05:44 PM

I'll smoke to that!

american pervert · 10-19-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by After Shock Media

I do expect you to say with a straight face and zero lies that you take none of the following:

Vitamins in pill or liquid form, aspirin, antibiotics, pain killers, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, natural stimulants, sugar in its refined form including refined by bee's, any plants with additional properties, chocolate, street drugs, man made medications, nor super concentrations of given food items such as fish oil or garlic juice in capsule form.

no, i only eat wind fallen fruit, nuts, and veggies.

JenniDahling · 10-19-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDoc

Is Obama giving some rightful power back to the state?

Nah, he probably just pointed out the obvious... that resources/money/time was being wasted going after people. Maybe next they will turn off funding for the witch hunt of legitimate adult companies.

Its a step in the right direction in the way of less persecution but not anything concrete in the way of getting the stuff legalized.

miss_jody · 10-19-2009, 07:03 PM

its a good step, they're still trying to get rid of a lot of dispensary's here, and put in zoning... not near schools, religious organizations etc.. but at least they can't come after you anymore

DatingGold · 10-19-2009, 08:23 PM

I'm gonna open a crack dispensary

Redrob · 10-19-2009, 09:20 PM

Not going to happen in Texas.

Not that long ago, you could get life in prison for possession of a few joints.

digitaldivas · 10-19-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrob

Not going to happen in Texas.

Not that long ago, you could get life in prison for possession of a few joints.

thats fucking retarded!

digitaldivas · 10-19-2009, 09:33 PM

I am currently in Denver here and it's legal! Actually the fine for up to an oz. is $1.00 that you can mail in or pay online.

And if I am in Los Angeles, L.A.P.D. doesn't really give a shit, as long as your not killing or raping anyone.

Brujah · 10-19-2009, 10:30 PM

Notice the medical marijuana states are almost predominantly Democratic states?

JenniDahling · 10-20-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrob

Not going to happen in Texas.

Not that long ago, you could get life in prison for possession of a few joints.

It was also illegal to sell sex toys and by law a business could have only up to 5 on the premises. Fortunately for Fleshlight, they recently remanded that ancient law, so maybe there is hope.

Right now in Florida though, even if you get caught with small amount in your car, you can get fined plus get a year of probation with random pee tests. A friend of mine lived to tell and said he had to pay to pee each time.

miss_jody · 10-20-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitaldivas

I am currently in Denver here and it's legal! Actually the fine for up to an oz. is $1.00 that you can mail in or pay online.

And if I am in Los Angeles, L.A.P.D. doesn't really give a shit, as long as your not killing or raping anyone.

I just saw a job posting on a news forum for a pot critic for a denver newspaper.... yay colorado ;)

BAKO · 10-20-2009, 09:57 PM

More pot for us

clicker · 10-20-2009, 10:03 PM

13 States and counting! Nice!

10-19-2009, 09:31 AM	#1
JenniDahling Market Penetration Specialist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Out of my Suitcases Posts: 5,285	Feds Issue New Marijuana Policy The Associated Press Published: October 18, 2009 WASHINGTON - 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 today 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. 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 is unique 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. Attorney General Eric 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. A three-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. The memo, the officials said, 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. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued. "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, the officials said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide old-fashioned drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical marijuana business. 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. Actual Article The comments are pretty interesting. __________________ cLick my kitty, you know you want to jenni {at} prkitty.com Meet me at The Island Gathering

10-19-2009, 09:37 AM	#2
munki Do Fun Shit. Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OC Posts: 13,393	Nice to see things slowly moving in the right direction. __________________ “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” -Oscar Wilde

10-19-2009, 09:38 AM	#3
96ukssob So Fucking Banananananas Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: If I was in your ass you'd know it Posts: 12,991	just reinforces the fact that pot will NEVER be legalized in the US anytime soon __________________ Email: Clicky on Me Last edited by 96ukssob; 10-19-2009 at 09:40 AM..

10-19-2009, 09:44 AM	#4
Tom_PM Porn Meister Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,443	Was funny seeing my local news cover this today. They show clips of kids getting high, smoking bongs, smoking joints, smoking out of what looks like crack pipes, you can practically see needles sticking out of their arms.. And the story is about medical marijuana. Why didnt they show chemotherapy patients? Doctors in lab coats? Patients with machines keeping them alive? Barfing cancer patients desperate for something to calm them and give them some relief? Guess good old stock footage of illegal drug use is "good enough" for local news huh. __________________ 43-922-863 Shut up and play your guitar.

10-19-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
GayIPornSteve Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 133	Change you can believe in! __________________ iphone gay porn for FREE! gayiporn \|\| gmail \|\| com

10-19-2009, 10:35 AM	#7
Tom_PM Porn Meister Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,443	Stock footage should just be banned. Every time msnbc does a story on the economy, they run a reel of women shopping for clothes, always the same one for maybe a decade now. Watch for the black lady in the red hat handing over her credit card, then the close up of the credit card swipe. Same with any airline story, they run the stock reel of airline shit. Watch for one scene where they zoom in on a ladies white sneakers. She's wearing jeans and her legs are crossed. This is from a million years ago when the big story on airlines was the cramped seating. I notice weird shit. __________________ 43-922-863 Shut up and play your guitar.

10-19-2009, 10:41 AM	#9
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 64,779	nice! in celebration, i am off to visit my dealer. errr, i mean dispensary!!1

10-19-2009, 10:50 AM	#10
BobG Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,274	That's nice. Maybe soon adults will even be able to stay out after 2:am

10-19-2009, 10:53 AM	#11
LeRoy Porn Pusher Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: It's a dry heat Posts: 13,337	Yep we'll know in a few years if weed is the real gateway to harder drugs. Thats been the crutch of every 420 debate. __________________ JAPANESE CAMS AND CONTENT SITES Skype - leroy.rowland2

10-19-2009, 11:02 AM	#12
Fletch XXX GFY HALL OF FAME DAMMIT!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: that 504 Posts: 60,840	As a activist I am beginning to think Eric Holder is all talk and no action. He said the same thing as soon as Obama came into office and to prove he had no power the feds began raiding and kicking in more doors than before, and whats he do>? Nothing. Ill believe it when the raids stop, until then, he said this before and nothing changed. __________________ Want an Android App for your tube, membership, or free site? Need banners or promo material? Hit us up (ICQ Fletch: 148841377) or email me fletchxxx at gmail.com - recent work - About me

10-19-2009, 12:34 PM	#13
bad_influence Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 38	Baby steps but at least in the right direction.

10-19-2009, 12:47 PM	#14
beerptrol Confirmed Asshole Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Half way between sobriety and fubar. Posts: 12,722	Can't wait to hear Rush and Glenn bash Obama for this __________________ “If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon's but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition and ignorance on the other.” -- Ulysses S. Grant

10-19-2009, 12:50 PM	#15
Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life (felis madjewicus) Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In Mom & Dad's Basement Posts: 20,368	Keep weed illegal! It's funner this way.

10-19-2009, 01:13 PM	#19
TheDoc Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Currently Incognito Posts: 13,827	Is Obama giving some rightful power back to the state? __________________ ~TheDoc - ICQ7765825 It's all disambiguation

10-19-2009, 01:13 PM	#20
Megan Essog Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 250	I heard about this today! I wonder if this will do anything for us Canadians? Loosen up You 'Mericans and let us smoke da pot! __________________ How To Make Money With Personality Marketing <a href="http://www.rcboca.com/traxxas">Traxxas</a>

10-19-2009, 02:50 PM	#21
magpan Guest Posts: n/a	Think Canada.

10-19-2009, 03:21 PM	#23
fatfoo ICQ:649699063 Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 27,763	Good move. It is good for scientific research and practical. __________________ Send me an email: [email protected]

10-19-2009, 03:22 PM	#24
american pervert Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,830	drugs are bad, only losers get high __________________ I can resist everything except temptation

10-19-2009, 05:44 PM	#27
papagmp Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 618	I'll smoke to that! __________________ Real Amateur Porn, Amateur Teens, Sister Porn...... www.gmpcash.com

10-19-2009, 07:03 PM	#30
miss_jody Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 807	its a good step, they're still trying to get rid of a lot of dispensary's here, and put in zoning... not near schools, religious organizations etc.. but at least they can't come after you anymore

10-19-2009, 08:23 PM	#31
DatingGold $6 PER EMAIL JOiN Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: California Posts: 13,185	I'm gonna open a crack dispensary __________________ 9 Years of SOLID payouts and conversions! ADULT DATING - $100 PPS LIVE CAMS - $214 PPS WWW.DATINGGOLD.COM ICQ: 27442303

10-19-2009, 09:20 PM	#32
Redrob Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In a refrigerator box by the tracks. Posts: 4,790	Not going to happen in Texas. Not that long ago, you could get life in prison for possession of a few joints.

10-19-2009, 09:33 PM	#34
digitaldivas ..I Heart Cannibal Corpse Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California Posts: 4,328	I am currently in Denver here and it's legal! Actually the fine for up to an oz. is $1.00 that you can mail in or pay online. And if I am in Los Angeles, L.A.P.D. doesn't really give a shit, as long as your not killing or raping anyone. __________________ ...

10-19-2009, 10:30 PM	#35
Brujah Beer Money Baron Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: brujah / gmail Posts: 22,157	Notice the medical marijuana states are almost predominantly Democratic states? __________________ Free Premium Domain Lists and Tools at Clickmojo.com For Sale: Obscenity.com

10-20-2009, 09:57 PM	#38
BAKO Etology.com Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hollywood CA Posts: 18,386	More pot for us __________________ http://DatingNetwork.com Telegram: @bakokaye

10-20-2009, 10:03 PM	#39
clicker Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virtual Posts: 1,113	13 States and counting! Nice!