Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLocal, State Officials Decry Federal Attacks on Medical Marijuana Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2012
Local, State Officials Decry Federal Attacks on Medical Marijuana Program
SAN FRANCISCO - April 9 - A coalition of medical marijuana patients, activists, dispensing centers, and concerned citizens has compelled public officials to stand up to recent federal attacks. Last week, the coalition "San Francisco United for Safe Access" held a press conference with several city supervisors and state officials, decrying the Obama Administration's aggressive tactics before a crowd of more than 500 supporters. By Friday, San Francisco United had secured a statement from Mayor Lee, expressing his opposition to "recent federal actions targeting duly permitted Medicinal Cannabis Dispensaries...that aim to limit our citizens ability to have safe access to the medicine they need."
Since the beginning of the year, five San Francisco dispensaries have been forced to shut down due to threats from U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag. Early last week, federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents raided city-compliant medical marijuana businesses in Oakland, including one of the state's oldest established distribution facilities. Dispensary proprietor and founder of Oaksterdam University Richard Lee has vowed to fight against further federal attacks, claiming that, "this is a fight we can win." San Francisco United and Lee have targeted President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, who have so far eluded accountability for the unprecedented attacks.
"By opposing federal interference, San Francisco officials are taking a stand for patients and for sensible public health policy," said Americans for Safe Access founder and Executive Director Steph Sherer. "The federal government must not be allowed to push patients into the illicit market without consequence." Since U.S. Attorneys announced a concerted crackdown in California last October, more than 200 dispensaries have shut down as a result of threats to owners and their landlords. However, more than 1,000 locally compliant facilities still continue to operate in the state.
"The assault on medical marijuana patients currently underway by the Obama Administration is unprecedented in this country's history, despite hollow proclamations to the contrary," continued Sherer. "The intensity and breadth of the attacks has far surpassed anything we saw under the Bush Administration and has resulted in the roll-back of numerous local and state laws, not just in California." Delaware officials were the latest to be threatened by the Justice Department, derailing that state's recently passed medical marijuana law.
It was also announced last week that legislators from five medical marijuana states from California, Colorado, Maine, New Mexico, and Washington issued an open letter to President Obama opposing the federal attacks and asking his administration to "respect our state laws." The lawmakers underscored that such an aggressive policy "makes no sense" and is "not a good use of our resources," which is reflective of Obama's original pledge to de-emphasize enforcement in medical marijuana states.
###
Americans for Safe Access is the nation's largest organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/local-state-officials-decry-federal-attacks-on-medical-marijuana-program
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 1090 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (8)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Local, State Officials Decry Federal Attacks on Medical Marijuana Program (Original Post)
Better Believe It
Apr 2012
OP
If President Obama follows your good advice I will applaud him for it.
Better Believe It
Apr 2012
#2
pipoman
(16,038 posts)1. If this President would take a more liberal position on this,
in fact begin a campaign to quit funding law enforcement drug teams and start funding mental health and addiction services for anyone who needs it, he would go down in history's greatest Presidents. I believe there would be vast improvement in everything from drug gang violence to deranged lunatics shooting up the mall. This would be the mother of all legacies. It would only require him to take a very liberal position.
Better Believe It
(18,630 posts)2. If President Obama follows your good advice I will applaud him for it.
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)3. "It would only require him to take a very liberal position."
Which is exactly why it's not going to happen..