Community | April 20, 2009 | 11 comments

Obama's DoJ Backs Prosecution of Medical Marijuana Providers

source: http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner04212009.html

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JackHerer
It's official –under Barack Obama, the Department of Justice will not restrain federal prosecutors targeting medical marijuana providers. Any lingering hopes that the new Administration would implement change in this area were blasted April 17 when U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien forwarded to District Judge George Wu a letter from DOJ clarifying ObamAdmin policy.

The clarification had been requested by Judge Wu. On March 23, responding to widespread media reports of a "policy change" under Obama, Wu had postponed the sentencing of Charles Lynch, 46, a Morro Bay dispensary operator, until the U.S. Attorney could provide a written statement elucidating the present policy.

The definitive letter, signed by H. Marshall Jarrrett, director of the office that oversees all U.S. Attorneys, is addressed to O'Brien.

"In response to your request, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General reviewed the facts of this case to determine whether the prosecution of Mr. Lynch comports with the Department of Justice's policies with respect to marijuana prosecutions. Based on the facts of this case, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General concurs with your office that the investigation, prosecution, and conviction of Mr. Lynch are entirely consistent with Department policies as well as public statements made by the Attorney General. Accordingly, you should seek to proceed with the sentencing recommendations which your office has filed with the court."
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11 comments // Obama's DoJ Backs Prosecution of Medical Marijuana Providers

  • pcole
    • 0
      pcole  

    • Wow...very disappointing. I hope that the language gets clarified soon. This case is very sad and if it proceeds and the sentencing takes place this does not bode well for the future of this administration. I voted for Obama hoping that there would be change...but this does NOT sound like change.

    • 2 years ago
  • Dessalines
    • 0
      Dessalines  

    • First of all this article is a little deceptive and does not deal with the nuance of the case.

      The argument (lying argument saying this was a non-medical for profit enterprise) proffered by the prosecutor takes this case outside of the exception established by the DOJ. It is a lie but that is what they are arguing.

      At any rate this should not be in the courts in the first place but willful ignorance with respect to your opponents strategy and tactics is incredibly self defeating. GOOGLE the court documents and read them.

      Now is the time to focus emotion into collective action.

      Changes in the law are made in the federal legislature (Congress "House" and "Senate") The President is not a KING. We have got to get in front of Senator Jim Webb has introduced legislation looking to overhaul the entire criminal justice system.

      http://webb.senate.gov/email/criminaljusticereform.html

    • 2 years ago
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  
    • Dessalines:

      President Obama doesn't have to change the law, to make change. Richard Nixon added cannabis to the Dangerous Substance List. President Obama 'could' remove cannabis hemp from the Dangerous Substance List. The discussion would be where it should be. The discussion could be controlled by facts, not fear!

    • 2 years ago
  • Dessalines
    • 0
      Dessalines  
    • Dessalines:

      Politicians must be forced to act. The wind is behind our back. We most now move with singular focus. The politicians are just waiting to be pushed. At this point it is all on us.

      Make Him Do It: Congress Ramps Up Bipartisan Pressure For Drug Reform

      David Sirota
      Speaking of drug policy reform, the Hill newspaper has this dispatch about the gradually growing pressure from Congress on the White House to get serious about drug policy reform:

      A growing chorus of lawmakers is openly calling for the legalization of marijuana as a measure to stop the escalating violence along U.S.-Mexico border. The legislators who have endorsed legalization are Reps. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), and Ron Paul (R-Texas)...

      "There are a lot of people who understand that [the current war on drugs has been a failure], but they are afraid to politically say so," Rohrabacher said. "If it was a vote - a blind vote where nobody knew who was voting - you would have overwhelming support for legalizing marijuana out there, but they will never vote for it because they are afraid of taking on a controversial issue."

      Between rising border violence and budget-busting prisons overcrowded with non-violent drug offenders, events are creating the circumstances to change the debate on marijuana policy, even if President Obama recently laughed off a question about marijuana legalization. Clearly, the persistent (and silly) "tough on crime" frame that HBO's David Simon outlined continues confines Democrats - but if there's enough bipartisan pressure from Congress and in state legislatures, the White House could be made to take steps it doesn't yet feel comfortab

    • 2 years ago
  • hollowman218
  • Conniepae
    • 0
      Conniepae  

    • This is sad! Most of the 'hope' I once had, has all but disappeared.

      During the campaign, right-wing posters pointed out the uselessness of hope. I chose to continue to 'hope' for change anyway. I hate to believe right-wing posters. Sad, when they turn out to be right. 'Hope' was a tool used to win an election. SAD!

      The more things change, the more they stay the same!

      Those who have harmed us are not being held accountable. They can ignore torture, wars of choice, illegal wiretapping, etc. Yet they uphold prosecution for cannabis. It definitely is an "Assault on Reason"!

      **Update** My hope is back! President Obama has stated he is open to prosecution of individuals responsible for torture in 'MY' name (Americian)! Kudos!

    • 2 years ago
  • Dessalines
    • 0
      Dessalines  

    • This is not really telling us anything. Headline does not comport with what I read in the whole article. In fighting these unjust drug laws we need to be highly accurate and professional so that we can fight effectively and not go out half cocked looking like we do not know what we are talking about.

    • 2 years ago
  • sickinjersey
  • Gargaryun
  • partyrager
    • 0
      partyrager  

    • Oh no! That is not what I wanted to read but thanks for the info. I thought things were really looking up and they may be but we are not there yet!

    • 2 years ago
  • wooznib
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