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 Monday 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.
I read this today as well. It's a good thing for the dispensaries. Make me feel better because when it becomes legal in Illinois I may just open one up for myself as well. We shall see. I just love the idea of having a great smoke shop with weed everywhere. Love it.
Word. I'd like to open a dispensary sometime in the future, in Colorado preferably. Anyways, sounds like good news.
Those are the 14 smartest states I've ever seen, makes me feel like my states still in the stoneage. I don't think this state would know what to do if they lost all that community service and or free prison labor. Friggin slave market basically.
Did Obama promise this during his campaign. I seem to remember something came up after he won that stopping this was on the way. Nothing came of it and dispensaries were being raided not long after that all came out. I'll believe it when I see it....and even then this doesn't stop rogue prosecutor.
couldn't YOU just stop bitchin about everything. jeeze this isn't random thoughts.. anyway go us. they just need to hurry up with the other 38-summat states..
well i think new hampshire may be getting close to atleast decriminalizing it(if they havent already).up in keene,NH people have been gathering at 4:20 everyday in public out in the open and lighting up.i forget how long its been happening but only one arrest was made,someone got arrested for possession.it was on the news a couple weeks ago. and i believe MA. may be soon to have medical.weve already decriminalized it.but im moving to NH in a week or 2 so fuck MA.!
