cannabisnews.com: Obama Considers Easing Up Federal MJ Regulations
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Obama Considers Easing Up Federal MJ Regulations
Posted by CN Staff on December 14, 2012 at 20:38:51 PT
By David G. Savage, Washington Bureau
Source: Los Angeles Times
Washington, D.C. -- President Obama and a key Senate Democrat said Friday they were willing to consider relaxing federal enforcement of the laws against marijuana for those who possess small amounts of the drug. They were reacting to new voter-approved laws in Washington and Colorado that permit recreational users to have an ounce of marijuana at home. In addition, California and 17 other states allow the medical use of marijuana.
Despite this state-by-state move toward limited legalization, federal law still classifies marijuana as a highly dangerous drug and makes it a crime to sell or possess even tiny amounts."So what we're going to need to have is a conversation about, 'How do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that it's legal?'" Obama told ABC News in an interview with Barbara Walters. The president said he was not ready "at this point" to support widespread legalization of marijuana, but added: "It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined it's legal.... We've got bigger fish to fry." Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said his panel would consider legislation early next year that could ease federal law for marijuana possession. "One option would be to amend the Federal Controlled Substances Act to allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, at least in jurisdictions where it is legal under state law," Leahy said in a letter to R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Leahy asked Kerlikowske, the administration's so-called drug czar, "what assurance can and will the administration give to state officials involved in the licensing of marijuana retailers that they will not face federal criminal penalties for carrying out duties assigned to them under state law?" Leahy said Obama's comments "reflect common sense. In a time of tight budget constraints, I want law enforcement to focus on violent crime. But now that we have a gap between federal and state laws on marijuana, we need more information and a wider discussion about where our priorities should be." Critics of the federal drug laws saw the comments from Obama and Leahy as a sign that Washington's rigid opposition to marijuana may be ending. "It's a tentative step in the right direction," Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said of Obama's statement. "He said we need a 'conversation,' and that's very promising. This sounds a lot like what he said about gay marriage a couple of years ago." Nadelmann said he would watch to see whether federal law enforcement officials at the Justice Department will insist on an aggressive anti-marijuana policy, despite the milder words from the president and Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. Recent polls have shown the American public is about evenly split on whether personal use of small amounts of marijuana should be legalized. The initiatives to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Washington and Colorado easily won passage Nov. 6. Steve DeAngelo, executive director of Harborside Health Center in Oakland, said he hoped Obama's comments would prompt Justice Department prosecutors in California to cease a crackdown on the medical cannabis industry that threatens to close his shops. The U.S. attorney in San Francisco filed a lawsuit in July to seize Harborside's two properties, even though its main dispensary is licensed and regulated by the city of Oakland and seen by many as a model of the industry. A hearing in federal court next Thursday may determine whether the dispensary must close its doors. "It would be a tragedy if the leading example of responsible and legally compliant medical cannabis distribution is shut down next week on the verge of a change in federal policy," DeAngelo said. "The word ironic doesn't just quite have enough bitterness in it." In the past, the Obama administration has sent conflicting messages on medical marijuana. Soon after taking office, the president and the attorney general pledged to pull back from the George W. Bush administration's policy of using federal agents to shut down dispensaries in California and other states where medical marijuana is legal. But U.S. prosecutors there have continued to take aggressive action against those who sell large quantities of marijuana. Obama said he has a duty to follow the law as it now exists. "This is a tough problem because Congress has not yet changed the law," he told ABC. "I head up the executive branch. We're supposed to be carrying out the laws." Tom Angell, chairman of the Marijuana Majority, said Obama could do more. The executive branch could take action to change the classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug. "The president should lead on this issue instead of deferring to Congress," Angell said. Staff writers Kim Murphy in Seattle and Joe Mozingo in Los Angeles contributed to this report.Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)Author:  David G. Savage, Washington BureauPublished: December 14, 2012Copyright: 2012 Los Angeles TimesContact: letters latimes.comWebsite: http://www.latimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/slnTPvvKCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #29 posted by museman on December 22, 2012 at 07:55:49 PT
Sam #18
" People should be able to buy cannabis in any form from whoever they want."Now that's "Legalization."
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Comment #28 posted by Paint with light on December 18, 2012 at 01:39:12 PT
comments on comments
#5 GCW  "Cannabis should be RE-legalized for every responsible adult, including the sick etc. We should all have the same goals on that."Clear and concise and completely agreeable.#8 HE"In the late 60’s I was thinkin’ that in about five years this issue would be fixed and buried in history, and everyone could get on with our lives…but no!!!…here we are still today…dealing with this crap…"I was thinking the same thing starting in about 1970. I felt with Carter as president that 1976 would be the year. The 200 year independence anniversary really should have been a celebration of independence."I sure do miss the unity and mindset that was present back in those days of the 60’s & 70’s…until…first came the ‘drug wars’ then the narcs/snitches…now we have to deal with the greed that is holding this back…it makes my hair hurt… "I remember the first 'Drug roundup' they had in my local county. Twenty three young, and not so young, people had their lives ruined or at least severely challenged. Then came the first people who 'narced' on their friends to get a lighter sentence or no sentence at all. That was when I lost the ability to trust easily.Legal like alcohol to start and then legal like tomatoes. 
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Comment #27 posted by Had Enough on December 16, 2012 at 23:22:54 PT
Now we’re talkin’
“”Prohibition is the enemy, not pot. Drug policy reform activists have played nice for years, but now the gloves are off. We’ll call prohibition what it is: a lie — a provable, historically documented lie. ’A manufactured fraud.’ Growing and consuming marijuana is in the truest sense not a crime.””
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Comment #26 posted by fight_4_freedom on December 16, 2012 at 21:54:04 PT
O M G
It's closer than it's ever been in my lifetime. Glad I voted for that man. Time for a celebration smoke!
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Comment #25 posted by FoM on December 16, 2012 at 18:50:04 PT
Hope
We are close to the tipping point. Hopefully early in 2013 we will see activity in Congress and change could come much faster.
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Comment #24 posted by The GCW on December 16, 2012 at 17:42:56 PT
Hope,
I agree, Tipping point for cannabis legalization is here. -We still have work to do but the balance has shifted.-0-I like what it said below;"In 2000 Holland hosted the European soccer championships. Dutch police encouraged revelers to light up, keeping the Dutch “coffee shops” open early into the morning, but sternly warned against public drunkenness. In the city of Eindhoven, where England played (and lost to) Portugal, only five arrests were made, and three of those were of ticket scalpers.In 2004 police in Portugal did the same thing, announcing that marijuana smoking would be allowed but alcohol availability would be reduced and public intoxication not tolerated."
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Comment #23 posted by Hope on December 16, 2012 at 15:31:28 PT
By Allan Erickson
Tipping point for marijuana legalization is herehttp://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/29148884-47/oregon-legalization-marijuana-washington-prohibition.html.csp
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Comment #22 posted by schmeff on December 16, 2012 at 09:34:00 PT
sinsibility
Instead of amending the Controlled Substances Act, I say eliminate it. It's flatly unconstitutional, and free people should be able to control their own substances.The modern CSA should join the old CSA in the dustbin of history.
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Comment #21 posted by sinsibility on December 16, 2012 at 08:37:30 PT
No one wants their name on it
When you step back and get some perspective, you see how complicated this all is. Then the big dose of irrational fear that was fueled by prohibitionist rhetoric, and how there are people who, for some reason, still actually believe this government.In my mind it starts with ending legal consequence completely. They have proven that it isn't going to work. Anything we are proposing will be an improvement over how it has ever been handled yet. The all out effort must be concentrated on removing cannabis from schedule 1. We have proven that it is incorrectly classified, and the medicinal properties that have been demonstrated are enough for anyone to see that "no medical value" is not valid or reason enough to prevent reclassification.Ammending the Controlled Substances Act is where our efforts will make the most difference. That is the message we should relentlessly hammer home. 
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Comment #20 posted by RevRayGreen on December 16, 2012 at 07:00:32 PT
today's paper, this South-side Reverend brings it
printed in today's paper, this South-side Reverend brings it to the masses and asses here in Iowa...Time magazine’s person of the year should be the cannabis plant.— South-side ReverendYour 2 Cents' Worth, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121216/OPINION/121215018/Your-2-Cents-Worth-Sunday-Dec-16-2012 via  dmregister
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Comment #19 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2012 at 17:10:15 PT
Free Enterprise
If were legal…similar to lettuce and tomatoes…you could get any strain/breed that there is a market for…Just like Romaine vs. Iceberg Lettuce…Ruskin vs. Cherry Tomatoes…and so on…So as long as some want a particular strain, there should be ample supply, and the more supply the more the cost will go down…to a point…Now there is a fine line drawn here…some will find cheaper ways to grow it using artificial nutrients and things like that…and some will even try to sell as organic when it is not so…but the buyers will soon know and get to trust growers and suppliers that do the right thing. Also regulations will kick in regarding the term ‘organic’ when used to sell the product…The main thing is to remove the elements of the Black Market and everything will improve…most of the kinks will get worked out…I believe anyway…
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Comment #18 posted by Sam Adams on December 15, 2012 at 16:45:23 PT
medical
I don't know much about peoples' individual politics, but I do know that anyone that opens a business that doesn't hurt anyone should NEVER be raided by armed thugs. Or be accosted and robbed by the government through the court system.When cannabis is truly legal, there will be rapacious, greedy mega-corporations AND single-shingle craftspeople selling it and making money. Last time I checked, being selfish, greedy, or boorish were not crimes.  Most Americans are not smart - less than 1/3rd understand the basic theory of biological evolution.  They are sheep that are going to herd in the direction of the cheapest, chemically fertilized weed they can find.  Trying to force people to buy organic weed, or expensive weed, or morally wholesome weed, is fascism.  Check Stalin, or Fidel Castro, for more details on how that works. People should be able to buy cannabis in any form from whoever they want.
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Comment #17 posted by The GCW on December 15, 2012 at 16:32:57 PT
keninsj,
Thanks for commenting. I hadn't thought of that aspect. Different people are effected in different ways. You simply want and need certain types of cannabis and may not care about other peoples politics over it... Yet other peoples politics may have huge implications for you and other people.The full on legalization movement will and must continue. Is Harborside (as an example) looking out for Your interest or theirs? What kind of guarantee do You have in getting the strains that help You the most once the superplant is fully RE-legalized?Is there any indication that with fully RE-legalizing cannabis, the many different strains people need will not be grown by people who care?If cannabis is fully RE-legalized, why would Harborside not still exist? At least here in Colorado, I believe the medshops will expand or have the opportunity to stay as med only. Why wouldn't they have certain plants with lower THC levels if there was a market for them? Are there enough people concerned about sick citizens needs to help insure those strains stay available?
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Comment #16 posted by keninsj on December 15, 2012 at 15:57:50 PT
Reply to GCW
The only issue I see with medical vers legal is that I am concerned as a medical patient that the strains sold in places like Harborside will disappear in favor of really high THC strains. For my conditions, the high CBD / Low THC strains work much better. I have had really good results with them. I believe there is a place for both the legal business and the medical, and if it means paying a little more for the medical strains, then so be it. Over the years we have lost sight of the real benefit of the plant in its more natural form by breeding out a lot of the elements in favor of high THC. The medical business has brought a lot of those more natural strains back and I fear losing them if the medical businesses cease to exist.
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Comment #15 posted by The GCW on December 15, 2012 at 15:17:22 PT
MikeEEEEE,
Another thing about, "a new $y$em can smell money, and still profit. "Here in CO, since the superplant is now legal and citizens can grow 6, business may go down in the med shops. That may mean less taxes for the med shop and no taxes for state government till the full on stores open. The taxes government hopes to reap must wait on government ... Government is in the position to get it done now, where they were not motivated previously. 
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Comment #14 posted by MikeEEEEE on December 15, 2012 at 13:28:14 PT
Backbone and $ystem
Perhaps Obama has a backbone. I hope so, and that he does not cave in to the republicans, on several issues. That includes giving in to hurting the eldery via new deal.Obama and those with 1/2 a brain know, that there is real proof/evidence, that the drug war is over. Some of the soldiers understand too, and are tiring of it.Like its been said, its about the money. Any $ystem will resi$t change. But a new $y$em can smell money, and still profit.
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Comment #13 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2012 at 11:01:10 PT
Agreed…
“They are dangerous, hell bent on punishing others for using a beneficial plant, ‘prohibitionists in reform activists clothing.’"Very similar to a snitchin’ narc that got caught that spins around and turns other people in, and even works hand in hand to help set others up to get busted…My hair still hurts so bad over all this stuff…
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on December 15, 2012 at 10:43:08 PT
Hope
I agree with you too. Ever since I saw the medical marijuana movement go the way it did I realized they wanted it their way for themselves but not for the good of all citizens of our country.
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on December 15, 2012 at 10:27:55 PT
Comment 5
I seem to recall that on those TV shows about Harborside that Steve DiAngelo said he did not want re-legalization and that he did not approve of recreational use. Only medicinal.Yuck to that, I say. Safety for some and not for others? No way. Those of us that are for re-legalization and an end to the danger and harm for everyone, did everything we could to help the medical needs people get their help, even ahead of everyone else, and as many naysayers and doubters said they would, the medical needs people ran out from under the rest of us. They are not supporting the rest of us. They aren't helping or even caring about all the other people harmed by prohibition. They are dangerous, hellbent on punishing others for using a beneficial plant, prohibitionists in reform activists clothing.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on December 15, 2012 at 09:49:45 PT
Had Enough
I agree with you too.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 15, 2012 at 09:47:33 PT
The GCW
I know in time everything would work out fairly for everyone if cannabis was finally legalized. 
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Comment #8 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2012 at 09:36:26 PT
Comment #5
Those are my thoughts too…but I have even more...Greed…It’s all about the money…I had always thought that anyone in any part of the industry would be in favor of re-legalization…I was wrong…As we have found out the supporters of hemp farming and medical use tend to keep a distance from plain old outright legalization that would clear the books for everyone involved…they have even spent large amounts of money and have lobbied against it…In my eyes…I think all parties involved should put ‘one’ large coalition together and finish off this drug war…with the voice of that many people and that much collective funding, this thing would be over real quick… Too simple of a concept I guess…In the late 60’s I was thinkin’ that in about five years this issue would be fixed and buried in history, and everyone could get on with our lives…but no!!!…here we are still today…dealing with this crap…I sure do miss the unity and mindset that was present back in those days of the 60’s & 70’s…until…first came the ‘drug wars’ then the narcs/snitches…now we have to deal with the greed that is holding this back…it makes my hair hurt…
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Comment #7 posted by The GCW on December 15, 2012 at 09:34:40 PT
FoM,
There is a strong chance that businesses which sell medically will be able to expand to full on sales for anyone over 21... Then, even if the price is lower, and it should be, their market may go from, say a 1,000 to 10,000 perhaps. They still should be able to make money. And if I'm not mistaken, presently they are not allowed to make a profit. Is that correct? Once it's fully RE-legalized, profit will be part of the business.I've felt betrayed by some of those dispensary owners but I know there are many who are for the best for the planet. I know in My neighborhoods, these folks were for 64.I think I've read that CO medical shops will be able to expand and be given priority to do so and their state expense for lic. etc. will be forwarded.There were some in the Humbolt area of CA which were against their last election because they stood to lose bucks.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 15, 2012 at 09:26:12 PT
The GCW
I agree with what you are saying. I am sorry if people think when cannabis is legal that their business might not make very much money but I knew that was going to be the end result with legalization. It will be very inexpensive and in a day with runaway inflation that would be so nice.
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Comment #5 posted by The GCW on December 15, 2012 at 08:41:15 PT
Different goals
As far as Harborside and other medial business interest are concerned, I resort to the ultimate goals and how the medical business have or have not helped the goal.The goal is to RE-legalize the superplant. Some dispensaries etc. have come out against RE-legalizing the superplant. We've seen that pertaining to election issues, including CA's last election... I see California being one of the next states to follow CO & WA. If Harborside will come later against RE-legalization then I'm hesitant to support them or any other dispensary. Actually I'm not just hesitant, I'm against them surviving if they are going to harm the cause. If dispensaries which would speak against RE-legalization have to shut down, they would be all for RE-legalizing...We've helped the medical cannabis issue which has in some cases created some greedy people that then turn their back on those who made their interest a reality.Cannabis should be RE-legalized for every responsible adult, including the sick etc. We should all have the same goals on that.
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Comment #4 posted by Had Enough on December 15, 2012 at 08:33:13 PT
Actions…
Actions speak volumes over words…“”In the past, the Obama administration has sent conflicting messages on medical marijuana. Soon after taking office, the president and the attorney general pledged to pull back from the George W. Bush administration's policy of using federal agents to shut down dispensaries in California and other states where medical marijuana is legal. But U.S. prosecutors there have continued to take aggressive action against those who sell large quantities of marijuana.””Congress…and our Mr. President…they should just do the right thing and get it over with…society has been damaged enough with these insidious ‘Drug Wars’…stop the carnage…************Asylum Street Spankers - "Winning the War on Drugs"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVkk6fH2u0Y
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on December 15, 2012 at 07:25:12 PT
good article
>> "It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined it's legal.... We've got bigger fish to fry."Yes, we can see from Harborside and elsewhere that entrepeneurs, political activists, business leaders and employees will be targeted, just like Soviet-era Russia.But it's great to see Harborside mentioned in the same article as the federal rhetoric. Really exposes the official federal party line for what it is - at odds with reality. They're saying the voters have spoken, etc., while simultaneously raiding or seizing the most responsible business leaders in California and Montana.
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Comment #2 posted by Relfving on December 14, 2012 at 23:28:07 PT:
Possible Easing of the Federal Marijuana Laws
here have been five news posts today about what Obama said about marijuana.
The most interesting statement came from the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee: "Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said his panel would consider legislation early next year that could ease federal law for marijuana possession.""One option would be to amend the Federal Controlled Substances Act to allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, at least in jurisdictions where it is legal under state law," Leahy said in a letter to R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy."House Bill 6606, The Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2012 has been presented in the House for consideration about current federal marijuana laws.
Normal (pro marijuana organization)
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Comment #1 posted by runruff on December 14, 2012 at 22:38:59 PT
As if!
As if they [the feds] actually have something to say about the self management of my body/ This concept is ludicrous,, and wrought with the reek of government encroachment upon our god given liberties. I do not need permission for this or any other item already guaranteed to me by the Constitution or even those things we all would agree are simply gifts from the creator.All this discussion, pomp and circumstance. They go on TV and posture. They declare this and swear that, all noise.We see here that it is all a bluff. If we simply tell the DC bureaucrats to go sit in the corner and shut up, They will. It is all up to us, the people.I believe the fed is going to sandbag until someone tries to grow a field of industrial hemp. That is when the hemp hits the fan!I have thought about Obama's response and see that he is not really giving in or acquiescing in any great way. The fed never did go after small amounts less than an ounce anyway. As we know they depended on the local LEOs to do that. they have funded this war on cannabis locally for the past forty years however. Hemp, hemp, hooray! If [when] we have completely cleared the besmirched name of the super-plant, it will be a hemp fueled economy. Now we are talking, yes?
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