It’s About Damn Time: U.S. Softens on Medicinal Marijuana
A move that should have happened years ago but understandably did not:
The Justice Department told federal prosecutors Monday they shouldn’t pursue medical-marijuana users who comply with state laws, a step activists said may encourage more states to partially legalize the drug.
Read the rest of the Wall Street Journal article.
I also found an interesting article on Slate about the announcement which I thought was a great read. Quotes below:
The Justice Department’s announcement that the feds will no longer crack down on medical marijuana sellers who follow state laws will surely cheer the liberal/libertarian axis that wants the government to take a more relaxed stance on drug laws. It should also please conservatives who champion states’ rights as the highest political ideal. But unlike most policies with such broad support, it might actually accomplish something.
Where the new federal guidelines could have an effect is on states currently considering medical marijuana laws. Right now, 13 states allow some degree of medical marijuana consumption. (There are 14 if you count Maryland, which reduces the penalty if the marijuana you’re caught using is for medical purposes.) Another dozen or so have bills moving through their legislature. In many cases, lawmakers have been skittish about OKing dispensaries for fear that the Drug Enforcement Administration would come and shut them down. Now that’s no longer a concern. The memo also changes the way the federal government treats marijuana vendors in states that already allow medical marijuana. The drug is technically legal for medical purposes is New Mexico, but the only person with a license to sell it has refused reveal her identity for fear of federal punishment. Without that looming threat, the number of dispensaries is likely to increase.
I find this a great move by the Federal Government not only because Obama said he would but because it’s just the right thing to do. Our society should make available any means out our disposal to help aid the sick into recovery, within reason of course. I’m not even really that ecstatic about the announcement, it’s more of a “about damn time, sons a bitches.”
This also makes the idea of legalization of marijuana in all facets closer to a possibility. Living in Denver, today there was a general rejoice in the air and this was before the Broncos win over the Chargers. :)
Just a good day in general for the people who are taking us where we all need to be, hopefully we can get there even quicker.
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- New Medical Marijuana Policy Outlined (nytimes.com)
