Pubdate: Thu, 22 Oct 2009
Source: Clovis News Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2009 Freedom Communications
Contact:  http://www.cnjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2994
Referenced: The memo 
http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/medical-marijuana.pdf

ENDING POT PROHIBITION GOOD FIRST STEP

After almost a year in office, the Obama administration has made a
decision.

The Justice Department on Monday issued a memo to federal prosecutors
in 13 medical marijuana states telling them to stop enforcing federal
marijuana laws against medical marijuana patients.

This should result in an end to the mean-spirited and bizarre federal
attacks on people treating conditions such as glaucoma and chronic
pain with a natural drug that's far less harmful than an array of hard
drugs the pharmaceutical giants push like candy.

 From the memo:

"Prosecution of individuals with cancer or other serious illnesses who
use marijuana as part of a recommended treatment regimen consistent
with applicable state law, or those caregivers in clear and
unambiguous compliance with existing state law who provide such
individuals with marijuana, is unlikely to be an efficient use of
limited federal resources."

Imagine how free some states would become if federal authorities
respected all state laws, including those protecting gun and property
rights.

Although the memo was clear in directing federal authorities to
respect state medical marijuana laws, it emphasized the federal
government's commitment to continuing the drug war.

Prohibition has created a black market, in the form of Mexican cartels
that are willing to kill in order to trade in common weed.

The administration's memo is a step in the direction of ending
prohibition. It's a small step, but first steps are milestones.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake