First Medical Marijuana Raid By DEA Under Obama Administrati

[wedeliver]

First Medical Marijuana Raid by DEA under Obama Administration Advocates call on president Obama to quickly change harmful, outdated policy

Oakland, CA -- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided a medical marijuana dispensary today in South Lake Tahoe, California, in the first days of the new Obama Administration. Even though President Barack Obama had made repeated promises during his election campaign to end federal raids in medical marijuana states, many high-ranking Bush Administration officials have yet to leave office. For example, still at the helm of the DEA is acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, who has been responsible for numerous federal raids in California, following in the footsteps of her predecessor Karen Tandy. Neither Eric Holder, President Obama's pick for U.S. Attorney General, nor a new DEA Administrator, have taken office yet.

"Whether or not this unconscionable raid on a medical marijuana provider is the fault of federal officials from the previous administration, President Obama has an opportunity to change this harmful and outdated policy," said Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs for Americans for Safe Access (ASA). "We are hopeful that these are the last remnants of the Bush regime and that President Obama will quickly develop a more compassionate policy toward our most vulnerable citizens."

Medical marijuana and an unknown amount of cash was seized during the raid today from Holistic Solutions, but no arrests were made. This first DEA raid under the new Obama Administration is another example of more than 100 raids on medical marijuana providers that have occurred in California over the past two years. While the greatest federal enforcement has occurred in California, the DEA has been active in other states as well. Federal agents raided the Washington State offices of a medical marijuana advocacy group that was supplying starter plants to hundreds of authorized patients. In Oregon, a federal grand jury was used by the DEA to obtain the medical records of several patients, an effort that was later rejected by a federal court. The DEA also went as far as to threaten New Mexico officials for planning to implement that states medical marijuana distribution program.

"I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users," Senator Obama said in an August 2007 statement. "It's not a good use of our resources," he continued. This statement was followed up by Obama in other public events in the run up to the election. "President Obama must rise to the occasion by quickly correcting this problem and by keeping the promise he made to the voters of this country," said Woodson.
ASA has been working with the new Administration on changing federal law around medical marijuana, which has included providing a comprehensive set of policy recommendations.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/in_the_trench ... dical_mari

What can you do to help? Call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and here is a sample script.

"Hi, my name is _____________. on January 22, 2009, the Drug Enforcement Agency raided a medical cannabis dispensary in Tahoe, California. The dispensary was raided by DEA despite numerous statements by President Obama saying he would end federal interference with state medical cannabis laws. I'm very concerned about outgoing DEA officials undermining these state laws and aggressively threatening innocent Americans. I'm also concerned about DEA taking action that is in direct conflict with President Obama's stated position. I am pleading with President Obama to issue an immediate suspension of all federal funds used to investigate, intimidate, arrest, or prosecute individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their state laws. Medical marijuana patients want change, too! Please help us now."

[Toolmaker]

[ygmir]

very good, TM............chuckling......

I'd laugh instead, if, it weren't so true......

[Apollonaris Zeus]

This is just he last gasps of the old directive of a department under the conservative bigots.

The DEA has released more mis-information on all drugs that the general population beleive is the truth. they get a lot of money and have heartless people in all their ranks. they also have one of the highest numbers of corruption out of all our law enforcement agencies and not department goes out of its way to illegally attack those that want drugs legalized or those they don't like- like setting up as pedophiles.

As drugs become legalized, we will see this department morph into stopping the black market production of drugs.

it may take Obama a while to start the change in the directives of this agency like the replacement of several heads, but don't expect much because YOU have to get your representatives to start changing the laws that these people act on.

AIIZ

[Elderberry]

Agreed

JK

[Kinetik V]

BUMP!

[Ugly Dougly]

Legalization would make the price of pot plummet and it would destroy the underground economy, which is the only thing that is propping up large areas of the country.

[Elderberry]

Legalization would make the price of pot plummet and it would destroy the underground economy, which is the only thing that is propping up large areas of the country.

Do you have any information that would substantiate that?

JK

[ygmir]

Legalization would make the price of pot plummet and it would destroy the underground economy, which is the only thing that is propping up large areas of the country.

yeah, they say it's the largest single industry in my county..........

[SilverOrange]

Up until recently I lived in Mendocino County in Northern California. Every year local media would publicize the total $ amount of crops grown in California. Weed was always number one. This was, of course, almost exclusively tax free dollars. I say almost due to the fact that there are now some people/organizations that have been paying taxes due to the medical marijuana initiative and the "pot clubs" that have been established in the state. It was estimated that the county in which I lived averaged about six billion dollars in unreported income each year from the growing and sales of pot. I have no doubt that growing pot is the single thing that kept the town I lived in afloat. With the closing of logging and fishing for environmental reasons, there is little but the service industry and tourism that generates legitimate income. The majority of the legitimate businesses would go out of business if it wasn't for the income of the growers. The money flows through the economy and keeps it going. I don't know what effect across the board legalization would have on the local economy. I would assume that like any industry small "farms" would be put out of business by large scale industry and while this would generate income for the country in the form of taxes it would probably sound the death knell for the area that I was living in.

[wedeliver]

Legalization would make the price of pot plummet and it would destroy the underground economy, which is the only thing that is propping up large areas of the country.

Why do you go there? Who mentioned "Legalization"? But if we were talking about making it free and legal like liquor for example. Perhaps, look at Holland as an example. Your statement is incorrect I think and is just a line parroted by people who don't use Medicinal or are maybe too high.

Lots of your bother and sister US citizens, lots of them Veterans, use Medicinal Marijuana to help with pain and other complications of age or disease. All these people ask is that they be allowed to use a medicine they have found to give them relief from those health issues. There are other meds out there, but they all effect differently. Some meds might relieve the pain, but then you are in a brain fog. Others meds don't do shit. Lots of people who would otherwise suffer are allowed a decent life from this medicine.

California, Oregon and some other states have "Legalized" this plant and it's products under certain medical conditions. It would be nice if the Federal gov. recognized the will of the people!

[wedeliver]

Up until recently I lived in Mendocino County in Northern California. Every year local media would publicize the total $ amount of crops grown in California. Weed was always number one. This was, of course, almost exclusively tax free dollars. I say almost due to the fact that there are now some people/organizations that have been paying taxes due to the medical marijuana initiative and the "pot clubs" that have been established in the state. It was estimated that the county in which I lived averaged about six billion dollars in unreported income each year from the growing and sales of pot. I have no doubt that growing pot is the single thing that kept the town I lived in afloat. With the closing of logging and fishing for environmental reasons, there is little but the service industry and tourism that generates legitimate income. The majority of the legitimate businesses would go out of business if it wasn't for the income of the growers. The money flows through the economy and keeps it going. I don't know what effect across the board legalization would have on the local economy. I would assume that like any industry small "farms" would be put out of business by large scale industry and while this would generate income for the country in the form of taxes it would probably sound the death knell for the area that I was living in.

Legal growers, ie those who grow the amount allowed in their county, Some of these growers are designated by others to grow for them. This is a caretaker position. I have been told that if they wish to try and sell their yield to a legal Dispensary they will get between $1,500 to $2,000 per pound. I have also been told that at the dispensary, people with the legal doctors recomentation can purchase this same medicine for between $300.00 to $400.00 per ounce. I also have been told that today you can find at your local dispensary things like "lollipops" which I am told taste great and leave you feeling very mellow. So, whats a matter with that?

[SilverOrange]

[quote="wedeliver"][quote="SilverOrange"]Up until recently I lived in Mendocino County in Northern California. Every year local media would publicize the total $ amount of crops grown in California. Weed was always number one. This was, of course, almost exclusively tax free dollars. I say almost due to the fact that there are now some people/organizations that have been paying taxes due to the medical marijuana initiative and the "pot clubs" that have been established in the state. It was estimated that the county in which I lived averaged about six billion dollars in unreported income each year from the growing and sales of pot. I have no doubt that growing pot is the single thing that kept the town I lived in afloat. With the closing of logging and fishing for environmental reasons, there is little but the service industry and tourism that generates legitimate income. The majority of the legitimate businesses would go out of business if it wasn't for the income of the growers. The money flows through the economy and keeps it going. I don't know what effect across the board legalization would have on the local economy. I would assume that like any industry small "farms" would be put out of business by large scale industry and while this would generate income for the country in the form of taxes it would probably sound the death knell for the area that I was living in.[/quote]

Legal growers, ie those who grow the amount allowed in their county, Some of these growers are designated by others to grow for them. This is a caretaker position. I have been told that if they wish to try and sell their yield to a legal Dispensary they will get between $1,500 to $2,000 per pound. I have also been told that at the dispensary, people with the legal doctors recomentation can purchase this same medicine for between $300.00 to $400.00 per ounce. I also have been told that today you can find at your local dispensary things like "lollipops" which I am told taste great and leave you feeling very mellow. So, whats a matter with that?[/quote]

Hey wedeliver, you are preaching to the choir here. I fully supported prop. 215. Mendocino county was the first to pass the medical marijuana initiative on a county level. I was responding to the fact that legalization would have effects on some communities, especially around the area I was living, due to the economy being completely fucked. As far as the medical goes I've always been a supporter of it. I've also been "told" the same things you have. Munchies that give you the munchies...

[ALICEtheGOON]

gOd sAvE tHe WeED

[Box Burner]

The fact of the matter is that the federal government has no business making it legal or illegal. Nor do the States. The only thing any government should be able to do is make the penalties sufficiently high for doing stupid things while under the influence.

[ygmir]

The fact of the matter is that the federal government has no business making it legal or illegal. Nor do the States. The only thing any government should be able to do is make the penalties sufficiently high for doing stupid things while under the influence.

stands beside BB, nodding........

[Elderberry]

The fact of the matter is that the federal government has no business making it legal or illegal. Nor do the States. The only thing any government should be able to do is make the penalties sufficiently high for doing stupid things while under the influence.

Agreed. I would also add that one of those penalties should have something to do with selling to minors.

JK

[ygmir]

hey, we can start a "nodding in agreement" conga line......

[SilverOrange]

ZURICH, Switzerland - Swiss police said Thursday they stumbled across a large marijuana plantation while using Google Earth, the search engine company's satellite mapping software.

Police said the find was part of a bigger investigation that led to the arrest of 16 people and seizure of 1.2 tons (1.1 metric tons) of marijuana as well as cash and valuables worth 900,000 Swiss francs ($780,000).

Officers discovered the hemp field in the northeastern canton (state) of Thurgau last year while investigating an alleged drug ring, said the head of Zurich police's specialist narcotics unit Norbert Klossner.

The plantation, measuring almost two acres (7,500 square meters), was hidden inside a field of corn. But officers using Google Earth to locate the address of two farmers suspected of involvement in the drug operation quickly spotted the illegal crop.

"It was an interesting chance discovery," said Klossner.

Prosecutor Gabi Alkalay told reporters in Zurich that she plans to complete her criminal investigation in February, after which she will formally charge the 16 suspects and ask for prison sentences for all of them.

The gang is alleged to have sold up to 7 tons (7.7 US tons) of hashish and marijuana between 2004 and 2008, with an annual turnover of 3-10 million francs a year, officials said




Just because you're not paranoid, doesn't mean they're not watching you.

[wedeliver]

Did everyone call and remind President Obama that old sick people have a hard time getting their medicine if the DEA ignores state law and raids legal dispensaries?

Thank you.

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/

http://www.mpp.org/

http://www.canna.com/

[ygmir]

Did everyone call and remind President Obama that old sick people have a hard time getting their medicine if the DEA ignores state law and raids legal dispensaries?

Thank you.

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/

http://www.mpp.org/

http://www.canna.com/

yeah, that old 10th amendment rears it head, or, lack thereof.........

the feds enforcing laws that are not constitutional...........the states have the right to set policy, and, are supposed to be autonomous.............
and, create their own laws, except for specifically described powers of the fed...........

(he screams as they march him to the "re-eduction camp/gulag")

[wedeliver]

One reason I support President Obama is that he seems to understand what Marijuana really is all about, he's from Hawaii if ya know what I mean.

I have heard that now is the time for change. if you have an interest in this subject I ask that you call the Obama Comment line at (202) 456-1111

tell them you heard that the DEA raided a legal medical cannabis dispensary in Tahoe, California and you think that is very wrong. If you are a veteran or have served the Unites States in some role mention that to the person taking the message. If you have health issues that you wish you could treat with this medicine tell them.

If you believe that marijuana is no worse, and maybe not as bad as alcohol or tobacco TELL THEM.

Come on people, we arn't gonna change anything if we don't DO SOMETHING!

Thats 202-456-1111 Monday thru friday 9:00am to 4:00pm EST

[capjbadger]

yeah, that old 10th amendment rears it head, or, lack thereof.........

the feds enforcing laws that are not constitutional...........the states have the right to set policy, and, are supposed to be autonomous.............
and, create their own laws, except for specifically described powers of the fed...........

(he screams as they march him to the "re-eduction camp/gulag")

Ummm... When was the last time you actually read the 10th amendment?? Because you'd know that it doesn't mean that AT ALL... *facepalm*

Badger

[oneeyeddick]

* shakes head combined with facepalm *

Most recently, the Commerce Clause was cited in the 2005 decision Gonzales v. Raich. In this case, a California woman sued the Drug Enforcement Administration after her medical marijuana crop was seized and destroyed by Federal agents. Medical marijuana was explicitly made legal under California state law by Proposition 215; however, marijuana is prohibited at the federal level by the Controlled Substances Act. Even though the woman grew the marijuana strictly for her own consumption and never sold any, the Supreme Court stated that growing one's own marijuana affects the interstate market of marijuana, citing the Wickard v. Filburn decision. The theory was that the marijuana could enter the stream of interstate commerce, even if it clearly wasn't grown for that purpose and it was unlikely ever to happen. It therefore ruled that this practice may be regulated by the federal government under the authority of the Commerce Clause.

It doesn't get much more 10th amendment than this.

* lights lighter.......exhales *

[ygmir]

yeah, that old 10th amendment rears it head, or, lack thereof.........

the feds enforcing laws that are not constitutional...........the states have the right to set policy, and, are supposed to be autonomous.............
and, create their own laws, except for specifically described powers of the fed...........

(he screams as they march him to the "re-eduction camp/gulag")

Ummm... When was the last time you actually read the 10th amendment?? Because you'd know that it doesn't mean that AT ALL... *facepalm*

Badger

well,
I just went an re-read the 10th amendment.......it's a very simple text, and, seems quite applicable........
there were even cites of federal laws being overturned in favor of states rights.......
And, a state's power to regulate a crop, would seem intrinsic.......well above the fed's powers......and, relegated as such.

I'm not sure how you make this statement, can you explain what you mean?

maybe I'm just slow.......

[DVD Burner]

Swiss Nab Pot Farmers Using Google Maps




http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-arti ... oogle-maps

January 30, 2009 | by Nick Mokey

A facade of corn plants couldn't hide two acres of marijuana from Google's eye in the sky.

Apparently you can find a lot more than good hiking trails and deer getting hit by the Street View van using Google Earth. On Thursday, police in Switzerland reported that they successfully used Google Maps’ satellite view to spot a discrete marijuana-growing operation from the sky.

According to the Associated Press, officers in Thurgau, Switzerland were attempting to find the address of two farmers implicated in a drug ring when they stumbled upon a much more incriminating find: two acres of marijuana plants nestled within the middle of a corn field. They later showed up the farm and made 16 arrests, seized 1.2 tons of pot, and $780,000 in assets.

The police plan to prosecute all the suspected drug dealers in February and press for prison sentences on all 16. They are alleged to have sold up to 7.7 tons of hashish and marijuana between 2004 and 2008.

[Elderberry]

One reason I support President Obama is that he seems to understand what Marijuana really is all about, he's from Hawaii if ya know what I mean.

That was my original thinking about Bush too--I mean he was a big coke head, drank like a fish, I'm sure did pot, and who knows what else. I thought even if he was a republican, he couldn't be all that bad. Then the bastard when and found religion.

But yes, I agree regarding Obama, he's done more than marijuana too, and he hasn't found religion, and he didn't go off the deep end because of drugs, so his approach to them will be rational, based on fact and personal experience.

I think there are bigger fish to fry than drug laws for him right now, but I would certainly like to see him decriminalize most if not all recreational drugs. (Maybe in his second term?)

JK

[wedeliver]

All they are asking for is that the Federal Gov respect california Prop 215 and tell the DEA to not do anything to harm Medicinal Marijuana Dispensaries or the people who have a legal right to use it.

One reason I support President Obama is that he seems to understand what Marijuana really is all about, he's from Hawaii if ya know what I mean.

That was my original thinking about Bush too--I mean he was a big coke head, drank like a fish, I'm sure did pot, and who knows what else. I thought even if he was a republican, he couldn't be all that bad. Then the bastard when and found religion.

But yes, I agree regarding Obama, he's done more than marijuana too, and he hasn't found religion, and he didn't go off the deep end because of drugs, so his approach to them will be rational, based on fact and personal experience.

I think there are bigger fish to fry than drug laws for him right now, but I would certainly like to see him decriminalize most if not all recreational drugs. (Maybe in his second term?)

JK

[Elderberry]

All they are asking for is that the Federal Gov respect california Prop 215 and tell the DEA to not do anything to harm Medicinal Marijuana Dispensaries or the people who have a legal right to use it.

I didn't say they shouldn't ask. I'm just saying that I don't know how much of his political capitol he's willing to spend on this at this time. I'm on their side on this.

JK

[ygmir]

All they are asking for is that the Federal Gov respect california Prop 215 and tell the DEA to not do anything to harm Medicinal Marijuana Dispensaries or the people who have a legal right to use it.

]

IMHO, if the 10th amendment were respected, it'd be a non issue.