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Ex-DEA Heads Urge Holder Oppose Marijuana Ballots
Posted by CN Staff on September 08, 2012 at 07:25:23 PT
By Alex Dobuzinskis
Source: Reuters
Reuters -- Nine former heads of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration urged Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday to take a stand against possible legalization of recreational marijuana in three western states, saying silence would convey acceptance. The former officials said in a letter sent on Friday that legalization would pose a direct conflict with federal law, indicating there would be a clash between the states and the federal government on the issue.
Voters in Colorado, Washington state and Oregon are due to decide in November whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use and to regulate and tax its sale."To continue to remain silent conveys to the American public and the global community a tacit acceptance of these dangerous initiatives," they said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters. A spokeswoman for Holder declined to comment on the letter.The letter is similar to one they sent Holder in 2010 urging him to oppose a recreational pot legalization ballot measure in California. It was defeated with 53.5 percent of voters rejecting it.Holder opposed the California measure before the vote, warning that U.S. officials would enforce federal laws against marijuana in California despite any state legalization.Kevin Sabet, a former senior adviser on marijuana issues to President Barack Obama's administration, said he would not be surprised if Holder took that same position again."Essentially, a state vote in favor of legalization is a moot point since federal laws would be, in (Holder's) own words (from 2010), 'vigorously enforced,'" Sabet said. "I can't imagine a scenario where the Feds would sit back and do nothing."Obama administration officials have until now said little about the upcoming ballot measures, although the federal government has cracked down on medical cannabis dispensaries in several states by raiding them and threatening legal action.Public SupportIn recent years polls have shown growing national support for decriminalizing marijuana. In May, an Angus Reid survey showed 52 percent of those polled expressed support for legalizing pot. The poll of 1,017 respondents had a margin of error of 3.1 percent.Gallup saw support hit 50 percent last year, the highest number the organization had ever measured on the question.In the swing state of Colorado, the marijuana measure with its potential to bring out young voters is seen as potentially influencing votes for president. Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling said earlier this year that marijuana "could be a difference maker" in the state.The nine signatories to Friday's letter included John Bartels, who ran the DEA from 1973 to 1975, and Karen Tandy, who was in charge from 2003 to 2007.Tom Constantine, who was in charge of the DEA from 1994 to 1999 and also signed the letter, said the former administrators hoped it would send a message to voters and alter the public debate.He said the letter had been sent so "voters would know in all fairness that no matter what they vote on in Colorado or wherever it is, that federal law still prevails."In response to a 2011 petition to legalize and regulate marijuana, Obama administration drug czar Gil Kerlikowske said at that time that federal officials were concerned about the drug because it was "associated with addiction, respiratory disease and cognitive impairment."Legalization advocates say the decades-old drug war in the United States has failed, and they compare laws against marijuana to the prohibition of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. They argue that society would be better served if marijuana could be taxed and regulated.While no U.S. state allows recreational use of marijuana, 17 states and the District of Columbia permit its use in medicine."Anyone who is objective at all knows that current marijuana policy in this country is a complete disaster, with massive arrests, wasted resources, and violence in the U.S. and especially in Mexico," said Jill Harris, managing director of strategic initiatives for Drug Policy Action, which has poured money into legalization campaigns.Reporting By Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Cynthia Johnston and David BrunnstromSource: Reuters (Wire)Author:  Alex Dobuzinskis, ReutersPublished: September 7, 2012Copyright: 2012 Thomson ReutersCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #28 posted by The GCW on September 10, 2012 at 18:38:39 PT
Must wait till Wednesday
Court has no authority to change voter guide, marijuana opponents sayhttp://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21510159/court-has-no-authority-change-voter-guide-marijuana-0-Article indicates the court will likely rule Wed.
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Comment #27 posted by Hope on September 10, 2012 at 11:53:41 PT
"Nothing to kill or die for."
That was such a phenomenal statement. It always is and it always will be. As we might have said back in another era... "That's heavy."Something to think about.What are the things you would kill or die for?But what if there were no people?
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on September 10, 2012 at 11:45:34 PT
Comment 23 ekim 
Interesting that West Virginia and the Virgin Islands seem to be the most 'out of your business' principalities.For the most part, 'out of your business" is a good way for government to be. The government that literally makes or invents a need to search your blood and get all in your private business is not a good government. The government that purposely inflates itself... like these sorts of laws do for government and it's employees... is not a good government. Bad government get's outrageous budgets approved and it spends like a bat out of hell so it can keep the inflated budgets. And it must continue to do so, or face a sad and sorry song that it doesn't want to face.
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on September 10, 2012 at 11:24:37 PT
      Or
He doesn't have anyone watching the Internet for him. And he'll never know unless reporters surprise him with questions he doesn't want to hear. Or answer.
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Comment #24 posted by Hope on September 10, 2012 at 11:22:21 PT
Afterburner comment 20
I can just imagine Mr. Romney trying to ignore all that."It doesn't exist. It doesn't exist. It doesn't matter. It's not there. Its not important. Forget about it." Praying and hoping for blindness.It's a so much harder world than you realize or you have no feelings for others.Is what I might say if he was listening to us. Which of course, he's not. But if he was.
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Comment #23 posted by ekim on September 10, 2012 at 10:51:46 PT
ghsa- governors highway safety association
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ghsa-broadens-distracted-driving-and-drugged-driving-policies-168762326.html
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Comment #22 posted by runruff on September 10, 2012 at 10:41:56 PT
"Nothing to kill or die for,
and no religion too."-Johnny [Formally of Johnny and the Moon Dogs], RIP.
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Comment #21 posted by FoM on September 10, 2012 at 10:35:37 PT
afterburner
Thank you for the videos but I can't get Youtube to load anymore. Maybe when we get 4G I will be able to watch them again.
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Comment #20 posted by afterburner on September 10, 2012 at 09:43:59 PT
FoM #16
Mitt Romney "Will You Arrest Me And My Doctors If I Use Medicinal Marijuana" [2007] [1:07]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRki4NLptFAStill Voting For 'Mitt Romney'? [6:25] [Flip-flopper in chief]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQwrB1vu74c&feature=related'Mitt Romney' The Liar [6:13]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_925350&feature=iv&src_vid=EQwrB1vu74c&v=Bg6S1HOo0j8
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Comment #19 posted by schmeff on September 10, 2012 at 08:30:01 PT
"Ex-DEA Heads..."
...in a large bucket...would be a good start.
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Comment #18 posted by museman on September 10, 2012 at 08:28:19 PT
runruff
"Anyone against my freedom or against saving the planet or against equal rights, is no friend of mine."That's a rather large group of 'non-friends.'Yes freedom is not a popular philosophy, only the 'free' and 'liberal' use of the word in political speeches.Freedom does not equal compromise. But there are many, many, many -a veritable consensus of ignorance- that think otherwise.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #17 posted by schmeff on September 10, 2012 at 08:22:09 PT
Fear Me!
You are right museman, our government has become so corrupt and non-representative that any talk of freedom or liberty sounds like sedition to those in power. When the federates
have to work overtime to thwart the will of the people, tyranny has arrived.I'm not intimidated by the jackbooted thugs of the DEA or the tough-on-crime politicians or any other expression of raw corrupt power from the police state. What do I have to lose? My freedom? Freedom is mostly a slick ad campaign attempting to mask the limited choices of a decaying corporatocracy. As more and more of the population comes to realize this fact...that we're little more than zoo animals in a fancy cage...more and more people will understand that there is nothing to lose in opposing our corrupt system. As the saying goes, there's nothing so dangerous as someone with nothing to lose.Fear me. Fear us!
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 10, 2012 at 08:16:42 PT
More Information On Paul Ryan
How Paul Ryan Took Three Different Positions On Medical Marijuana In One WeekendSeptember 10, 2012Excerpt: GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan does not have a history of supporting medical marijuana, or even of tolerating state laws which embrace permitting access to medical cannabis. Ryan voted in 1999 to block medical marijuana in DC (which is now legal). And, in 2006, he voted against a bill that would prevent the Justice Department and DEA from going after medical marijuana users who complied with state laws. Complete Article: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/09/10/817421/how-paul-ryan-took-three-different-positions-on-medical-marijuana-in-one-weekend/
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Comment #15 posted by museman on September 10, 2012 at 08:12:20 PT
runruff
..and there's a lot of mileage on that 'used god.'And what they used it for! The body count is still rising!Is there a 'real god' salesman? Of course not. The Real God (IMO its YHWH) has never had any kind of need for these religions -that's all mankind's ignorance.There's an old joke;"God created man in his own image, so man thought he'd return the favor..."Of course there isn't much semantical, or actual, practiced difference between 'God' and 'the gods' except for that cap thingy. Its amazing how people think that 'god' is a name for our Creator!Kind of like missing the point in high style.LEGALIZE FREEDOM*
*(I hope this link works)
Some music
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Comment #14 posted by museman on September 10, 2012 at 07:57:59 PT
 # 11
No, you can only bash non-incorporated individuals for their beliefs. If you are part of an 'organized' 'legally sanctioned' religion, you are protected by Big Brother.But I can 'bash' organized religion if I lump 'em all together in a non-established category;To quote a friend of mine;"All religions are false, all you need is love."LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #13 posted by runruff on September 10, 2012 at 07:52:48 PT
Mormons bash the hash!
Anyone against my freedom or against saving the planet or against equal rights, is no friend of mine.Mormonism: a for profit used god sale. Mormon evangelist are used god salesman!
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Comment #12 posted by museman on September 10, 2012 at 07:49:01 PT
schmeff #7
Yes, but don't speak it too loud, the reps of the status quo are everywhere!The evidence of corruption exists in plain sight, yet the religion of consumerism urges denial. How else is the rent going to get paid? Certainly not by upholding the entire, unmitigated truth!We are only about 1 or 2 'legislations' away from that kind of sentiment being established as 'hate speech.' -if you don't just love your non-representative government, well you are obviously a terrorist. And apparently a regime change between so-called 'liberals and conservatives' is absolutely meaningless -the proof is in the pudding.I have to add however, that in order to prevent democracy from rearing its head, it has to be there in the first place...there is no such thing.LEGALIZE FREEDOM
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Comment #11 posted by John Markes on September 10, 2012 at 07:41:29 PT
Don't Bash
Please don't bash Mormons
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Comment #10 posted by runruff on September 10, 2012 at 06:24:58 PT
Mormomism is an oxy-Moroni.
Was seen with the stone-eye.
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Comment #9 posted by The GCW on September 10, 2012 at 06:04:43 PT
Ballot news.
Colorado marijuana legalization campaign goes to court over ballot book http://www.denverpost.com/news/marijuana/ci_21504952/colorado-marijuana-legalization-campaign-goes-court-over-ballot
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on September 09, 2012 at 08:59:53 PT
It sure looks that way, Schmeff.
"The purpose of the Office of Attorney General is to prevent democracy from raising it's ugly head."
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Comment #7 posted by schmeff on September 09, 2012 at 07:21:31 PT
Holder is an Empty Suit
"The former officials said in a letter sent on Friday that legalization would pose a direct conflict with federal law, indicating there would be a clash between the states and the federal government on the issue."Of course, for Holder to take a position on a state ballot measure would also pose a direct conflict with federal law, but don't expect that to stop him. He gets to pick and choose which laws he will follow...laws don't really apply to the plutocracy.The torturers, the banksters stealing the pensions of retired Americans and the 'leadership' who lied us into illegal wars of aggression all get free passes.The purpose of the Office of Attorney General is to prevent democracy from raising it's ugly head. All hail the mighty Eric Holder! (And I thought Alberto Gonzalez was a worthless piece of s**t...the bar has been lowered so much you might as well have a chimpanzee for AG) 
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Comment #6 posted by runruff on September 09, 2012 at 00:53:59 PT
You say CABAL I say too-mau-toe.
But the question is, "are we having fun yet"?Yes that is a funny mistake but please stay tuned for there are likey plenty more to come!
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on September 08, 2012 at 22:11:45 PT
Good
The ignoids will help the good cause of ending cannabis prohibition and extermination by SPEAKING OUT.Don't be silent and make things difficult for Us... Open the mouth and let everyone hear the ignorance, Please help Us.
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Comment #4 posted by afterburner on September 08, 2012 at 22:07:26 PT
Comment #3 Readers' Comments
Pro & Con Quotes:Should marijuana be a medical option?
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1325 [new link]
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on September 08, 2012 at 21:43:49 PT
runruff #2
I agree with your analysis and feelings about these former drug czars. However, you made me laugh with the "COBOL of nine conspirators." COBOL is COmmon Business Oriented Language, an english-like programming language. I think you meant "CABAL of nine conspirators."Cabal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cabalFound today in a search:Mitt Romney Announces Support of Former DEA Administrator Asa Hutchinson.
Team Romney | February 2, 2012
http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2012/02/mitt-romney-announces-support-former-dea-administrator-asa-hutchinsonCounter-convention:NC NORML is LIVE at the Democratic Convention.
  by Sabrina Fendrick, NORML Women's Alliance September 4, 2012 [video - includes former NM Governor Gary Johnson]
http://blog.norml.org/2012/09/04/nc-norml-is-live-at-the-democratic-convention/Good guys and bad guys:Should marijuana be a medical option?
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=1325&tab=reader-comments
Cabal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on September 08, 2012 at 19:24:51 PT
Nine cops we are suppose to trust?
I suppose it is possible for nine ex-cops to know what is better for the people of three states than the 25 million or so people of those states?It's possible.Really, it could happen.Nine ex-cops who once held the office of the woman we saw being quizzed in a congressional hearing. Michele Leonhart. The DEA Chief who did not know the answer to not one question. The one who could not tell if marijuana was more harmful than meth?They do not want the truth to come out about the lie they were perpetrating for the last seventy years. At least not during their lifetimes.Or William "The Gambler" Bennett who was asked as the Drug Czar, "isn't it time we have a discussion on the subject of marijuana?" gave us this extraordinary piece of mind numbing, kiddie pool shallow, Humpty Dumpty, public trough sucking, pontificating, prairie wind empty, noon whistle grating, mumbling utterance as an an answer: "Marijuana is bad, Marijuana is illegal, end of discussion."OK so Big Bill had nothing. Lets see elsewhere for some kind of discourse on this subject? I know lets ask the Administrative Law Judge Andrew Young? The one guy they wish never existed. Or the Shaffer Report? I know of others with real knowledge about this subject. Why are they not asked to speak? I know. You know. No need to ask. I'm just lamenting the lost time here. The loss of time stolen by this COBOL of nine conspirators who would sell our freedom and anything else they can get their hands on. People with no conscience or empathy and apparently with out the least dram of integrity. 
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Comment #1 posted by Richard Zuckerman on September 08, 2012 at 12:00:22 PT:
The law is more harmful than the substance use:
1. There is no lethal dose to Cannabis use.
2. The alleged harm from moderate Cannabis use is debatable. 
3. Many tax dollars are spent towards Marijuana law enforcement. 
4. Police only solve 10% to 20% of the crimes. Consequently, the precious tax dollars should be used to focus on the serious crimes. 
5. The C.I.A. make milions of dollars each year from drug distribution and money laundering. This is coming out as the reality of the "Operation Gun Walk"/"Operation Fast And Furious", too, to allow one Mexican drug cartel friendly with the C.I.A. to come into the U.S. to purchase guns in order to shoot other Mexican drug cartels hostile to C.I.A.. I assume George Herbert Walker Bush's family connections are involved, as they have called for a "New World Order", a "North American Union", with open borders immigration, which is hurting Americans badly. George W. Bush even signed a document of the Project For A New American Century (a Pentagon-think tank of neo-conservatives) calling for immigration overpopulation of all of the world's countries, creating chaos ("...a New Pearl Harbor"), then having the C.I.A. economic hit men to go into the countries to take over their finances. Certainly, giving guns to gangsters is one means of destabalizing the countries. George W. Bush's signature, along with the other supporters of the plan, is on the last page of the document!).
6. Regardless of the DEA's voiced opposition, as Keith Stroup stated during the Initiative 502 debate at the Seattle Hempfest, if ONLY ONE STATE legalizes Marijuana, then other states may follow, and the federal government may eventually throw up their hands and give up the law enforcement effort, just as New York State had announced they would not longer prosecute alcohol-bootlegging crimes (perhaps from juries having repeatedly refused to convict alcohol-bootlegging defendants, which is why it is SO IMPORTANT for the people to understand that the trial judges lie to you when they order you not to decide whether the law is fair when determining your verdict when YOU become a juror in court) other states followed, the federal government gave up, and the federal constitutional amendment to end alcohol prohibition came about. You can download The Great I-502 Debate Seattle Hempfest from www.youtube.com, where Keith Stroup makes this pronouncement.
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