White House Says Marijuana Policy Is States' Rights Issue

[Ruby the Liberal]

Source: HuffPo

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration believes marijuana policy is a states' rights issue, the White House said Monday in opposing Republican-led legislation that would prevent Washington, D.C., from using federal funds to decriminalize marijuana possession. Monday in opposing Republican-led legislation that would prevent Washington, D.C., from using federal funds to decriminalize marijuana possession.

The GOP-sponsored House amendment would prevent D.C. "from using its own local funds to carry out locally-passed marijuana policies, which again undermines the principles of States' rights and of District home rule," the White House said in a statement. The White House said the bill "poses legal challenges to the Metropolitan Police Department's enforcement of all marijuana laws currently in force in the District."

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) called Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) a "tyrant" for meddling in the District's governing process with the amendment, pointing out that Maryland just voted to decriminalize marijuana possession. The amendment is aimed at blocking a recent D.C. law that lowers the penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana to a fine.

{snip}

Holder didn't weigh in on decriminalization in his own city of D.C., but said it was not a good use of law enforcement resources to give young people a criminal record for drug possession.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/14/marijuana-policy-white-house-states-rights_n_5586188.html

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Don't know if anyone other than the Side Boob Gazette is reporting this - it was emailed to me.

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Ruby the Liberal.

[Half-Century Man]

2. Am I missing something......

How do you use funds by making something not a crime anymore? If it's okay now, don't you stop spending money to fight it?

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. Edit - misunderstood you.

That is the point - and thank you for clarifying it.

[DeSwiss]

3. Yay!

- Just don't forget who owns the patents for the artificial form.....

K&R
[center]



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Side-boob gazatte! HA!

[fredamae]

23. Can you share a link

for your post? I need this for testimony locally, if possible....

[DeSwiss]

28. Hope this helps:

• Two of the better websites for current research: Total THC Healthcare and SC Labs

• One of the best and latest documentaries out:

• Cannabis patent info: http://tinyurl.com/p5ujf75

- Give them this picture before you testify!

•

[fredamae]

30. Thank you very much!

This is yet another group of good folks who are treated differently than everyone else who uses traditional medications and those who use it for personal reasons for relaxation (for many, also an alternative to prescribed stress/anxiety treatments).
People who choose to use cannabis for whatever reason(s) are subjected to unnecessary harms (laws, rules and policies resulting in lost housing, job loss, financial loss, incarceration etc)), and they bear the heavy burdens of social stigma and are excluded (segregated) from the overall health care discussion, are barred from participating in many activities where alcohol may also be served, and medical access is separated away from all other mainstream supply systems and further, these laws, rules and policies allow "Big Govt" to interfere between a doctor and his/her patients health care decisions.
Those who are legally in business in CO and WA plus Medical Cannabis businesses cannot even have the luxury of a Bank Account for their businesses.

Congress Must completely remove cannabis (De-Schedule) from the Federal CSA Drug Schedule and let the people decide in each state how they want to live.

No, how we're doing this now is all wrong. All based upon lies for profit over public safety, civil rights/liberties.
The type of discrimination, intended or not is still a consequence with-in this issue and is very parallel to Womens rights issues, LGBT struggles in a "you aren't good enough, you're different, you don't belong here, no, you can't do that, you can't do business here, you can't live and work here, we'll take your kids away" sorta way and imo. All this over a plant that is listed as a very, very safe Botanical Medicine.

[broadcaster75201]

4. Bullshit

Rogue U.S.Attys are STILL prosecuting this.

This is a lie. This is BS. I do NOT believe them.

[rpannier]

7. Agreed

If the head of the US Justice Dept can't reign in supposed rogue attorneys after 5+ years on the job it's time to get someone more competent

[Hoppy]

19. It was time to get someone more competent in January of '09.

[Dustlawyer]

6. States rights my ass! Then go ahead and take away the laws that make it a FEDERAL CRIME!!!

Holder's own agency is prosecuting thousands of people as we speak and he says it is not an efficient use of money and resources? Corrupt, spineless, weasel!

[Plucketeer]

8. I can't imagine...

having this Bozo as my defense counsel. My butt would be sold down the river!

[PoliticAverse]

15. Exactly. It's not actually legal anwhere because federal law > state law. n/t

[StevieM]

9. I hate the phrase "states rights." I don't care what the issue is, or what my position is.

That terminology needs to be retired.

[McCamy Taylor]

12. You believe in "states rights" when it comes to licensing doctors/vets/pharmacists

because the regulatory bodies that make sure that your health care provider and that of your dog are not quacks operate at a state level.

There are lots of things that states do. Maybe we could call them "states obligations"?

[StevieM]

17. I see what you are saying. I just think that the phrase has been used in such a pernicious way

over the years that it would be better to replace it.

[Hoppy]

20. --- except if you live in Florida.

[AngryAmish]

24. Recoil, in horror, at the 10th Amendment.

I always think we can use more federalism in our little corner of this earth. I don't live in Florida because the laws are different there than where I live.

[Hekate]

10. Oh is it now? That should make for some interesting developments.

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Why should Republicans from Idaho care what DC does?

[MADem]

18. CONGRESS runs the District of Columbia, and they sure do like to lord it over 'em, too.

Yes, DC has a mayor...but Congress controls the purse strings.

It's an insane relationship.

[PatrynXX]

13. Poor States Rights Republicans

just had their mantra stolen right out from under their elephants feet lol

[Puzzledtraveller]

16. doubtful

I think decriminalizing/legalizing marijuana has it's supporters on both sides.

[Unmenacing Dennis]

14. 3:31-4:22

[heaven05]

21. idiots

if true, which it sounds like it is, mari-j should be legalized nationally as a policy and then let the states embarrass themselves when their archaic, stupid, backward responses are seen.

[WheelWalker]

22. Agreed.

[Orsino]

25. Weasel-words from weasels...

...afraid to take a stand.

[Warpy]

26. Good, then they need to call off their DEA dogs.

Harassing MMJ shops and legal pot shops has never stopped. The Feds need to back the fuck off.

[reddread]

27. they arent about to do that

the rhetoric remains the same.
local governments are subverting the will of the voters with the $$$$$$$$ encouragement of the federal government.
for damn sure these cartel friendly folks are going to drive libertarian voters deeper into the arms of republican candidates.

[Comrade Grumpy]

29. This is a step in the right direction. Obama, overall, has been pretty good on this issue.

Not perfect. And not consistently. But you've got the White House saying marijuana legalization is an issue to be decided by the states. We've come a long way, baby.