Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2012
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Santa Cruz Sentinel
Contact: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/submitletters
Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/394
Author: Jason Hoppin

FARR, OTHERS TO TARGET FUNDING FOR MEDICAL POT CRACKDOWN

Rep. Sam Farr wants to tie the federal government's hands when it 
comes to medical marijuana dispensaries, joining an effort to cut off 
funding for a burgeoning statewide crackdown.

Farr, D-Carmel, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, and Rep. 
Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., are spearheading a bipartisan effort that 
should hit the floor of the House of Representatives today. During 
debate on a bill that funds the Department of Justice, the trio are 
expected to introduce an amendment barring the use of funds to 
prevent states from implementing medical pot laws.

"It is time for the federal government to stop targeting the legal 
vendors that are providing safe access to this treatment, and instead 
focus limited resources on those who sell illicit drugs," Farr said. 
"The amendment I will offer with my colleagues will work to assure 
funds under the Department of Justice do not target the safe access 
to treatment patients need."

Jack Gillund, spokesman for San Francisco-based U.S. Attorney Melinda 
Haag, declined to comment.

For months, federal law enforcement officials in California have 
targeted dispensaries through warning letters and even periodic raids 
that appeared to target large-scale operations. The crackdown has 
claimed several renowned dispensaries, which chose to shutter their 
doors rather than fight on.

Critics say the effort represents a broken promise by President 
Barack Obama, who previously vowed not to use federal resources on 
medical marijuana. Obama recently told Rolling Stone magazine his 
administration doesn't go after patients, but that it cannot ignore 
federal law.

About 200 dispensaries have closed across California, including the 
venerable Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana and the Berkeley 
Patients' Care Collective. Locally, former Mid-County club Creme de 
Canna, located near a preschool, closed amid speculation that it had 
received a warning letter from the feds.

Attorney Ben Rice, who represents several local clubs, said the 
crackdown is being selectively applied, making it difficult for 
patients everywhere to have access to marijuana.

"You have different readings of the law from one town to the next. 
The feds get invited from communities where medical marijuana is not 
welcome," Rice said. "What we've seen happen is some of the really 
well-organized and patient-based dispensaries have been shut down. 
You can't tell me that every single dispensary in Santa Barbara is 
violating the law."

Last week, 10 dispensaries in the Santa Barbara area received warning 
letters from prosecutors. The city of Monterey has passed a 
moratorium on clubs, while dispensary regulations in Santa Cruz 
County are suspended due to an ongoing court case.

"Some don't want medical marijuana around and just call the feds in, 
and others are targeted because they're perceived to be hurting law 
enforcement's picture," Rice said. "I think that hurts their 
narrative. There are some people in law enforcement who still just 
don't buy medical marijuana as a legitimate form of medication."

Though the raids have been criticized by everyone from Rep. Ron Paul, 
R-Texas, to Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., last week California's 
congressional delegation began to push back in earnest. On May 2, 
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, issued a press 
release blasting the crackdown.

That is being followed by today's expected action. Even if the effort 
to tie the Justice Department's hands is unsuccessful, Rice praised 
Farr and Rohrabacher for bringing it forward.

"Absolutely," Rice said. "It's really important that they speak up."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom