cannabisnews.com: Council Opposes Federal Raids on Med Pot Clinics





Council Opposes Federal Raids on Med Pot Clinics
Posted by CN Staff on April 03, 2008 at 04:58:40 PT
By Rick Orlov, Staff Writer
Source: Los Angeles Daily News
California -- Renewing its opposition to federal raids at medical marijuana facilities, the Los Angeles City Council went on record again Wednesday in urging the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to allow the city to regulate the clinics. "We have put a moratorium in place on all new clinics until we develop regulations," Councilman Dennis Zine said. "Our goal is to bring the sale of medical marijuana under control so it is accessible to people who truly need it.
"This is about the compassionate use of a medicine that helps sick people." The council voted 9-1 to support a state resolution on the issue after a number of people who use medical marijuana testified on behalf of the resolution, saying it is a key to helping them enjoy a decent quality of life. Councilman Greig Smith cast the lone dissenting vote. In 1996, California adopted Proposition 215 that set up a system to allow the dispensing of medical marijuana to patients with doctors' prescriptions. Officials estimate there are more than 250,000 people in the state who receive medical marijuana to help ease pain or nausea from chemotherapy or other diseases. There are 183 licensed clinics in Los Angeles. The council's vote supports a resolution pending in the state Legislature that calls on the federal government to ban DEA raids on the clinics. In the last two years, officials said the DEA has conducted 50 raids on various clinics.   DEA Special Agent Sara Pullen said the agency will continue its activities. "The use of marijuana is still a violation of federal laws," Pullen said. "Until Congress changes the law, marijuana use is illegal in any form." Council members Janice Hahn and Bill Rosendahl joined Zine in urging the DEA to change its policy. "It is easy to raid these clinics," Zine said. "Everyone knows where they are and they advertise in the papers. It is not a hard case to investigate." Rosendahl called it a misuse of federal dollars. "The DEA should not be hunting down medical providers or chasing sick people who need relief from their pain." Hahn said the city should be allowed to have jurisdiction over the clinics. "We want to regulate them and we will," Hahn said. "We want the DEA to respect the compassionate-use laws of California and other states." Complete Title: Council Opposes Federal Raids on Medical Pot ClinicsSource: Los Angeles Daily News (CA)Author: Rick Orlov, Staff WriterPublished: April 2, 2008Copyright: 2008 Los Angeles Newspaper GroupWebsite: http://www.dailynews.comContact: http://www.dailynews.com/writealetterCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by whig on April 05, 2008 at 11:12:45 PT
Max Flowers
There's a cosovereignty issue. The state of California can regulate its own officers but not federal officers.
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Comment #2 posted by Donald B Parsons on April 04, 2008 at 04:54:10 PT:
DEA (Oakland) RAIDERS
Special Agent Sara Pullen says that marijuana use is illegal in ANY form. If this is true "Why aren't (The Dogs of War) DEA Agents raiding PHARMACUETICAL Companies making Marinol?"
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Comment #1 posted by Max Flowers on April 03, 2008 at 19:32:19 PT
L.A. licks the hand that batters it
This:"We want the DEA to respect the compassionate-use laws of California and other states."and this:...the Los Angeles City Council went on record again Wednesday in urging the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to allow the city to regulate the clinics....are inconsistent. If you want the DEA to respect state law, you have to stand up for it. You can't be asking them to "allow" you to regulate your own business on the one hand, and then expect them to respect your autonomy!! If you have sovereignty, then you assert it and defend it. The city acts like a meek lamb and then turns around and bleats its demands to be respected. It's absurd.Citizens of a state either believe that that state law has effect and sovereignty, or it doesn't. If they believe in it, then they have to fight for it and NOT ASK TO BE "ALLOWED" TO DO ANYTHING---the sovereignty is real only when it is passionately believed in. Sovereignty doesn't need to ask permission.
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