Pubdate: Wed, 19 Dec 2012
Source: Gazette, The (Colorado Springs, CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Gazette
Contact: http://www.gazette.com/sections/opinion/submitletter/
Website: http://www.gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/165

LEAVE MARIJUANA REGULATION TO STATES

When Colorado voters legalized marijuana, they set the stage for
another great states rights battle with Uncle Sam. President Barack
Obama weighed in last week, saying on Friday he is willing to consider
relaxing federal enforcement of marijuana laws for those who possess
small amounts.

"It does not make sense from a prioritization point of view for us to
focus on recreational drug users in a state that has already said that
under state law that's legal," Obama told ABC News.

"At this point (in) Washington and Colorado, you've seen the voters
speak on this issue. And, as it is, the federal government has a lot
to do when it comes to criminal prosecutions," Obama said.

Obama has long expressed an attitude of states rights when it comes to
marijuana laws. Here's a sampling, going back to his first campaign
for the presidency:

"I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding
medical marijuana users. It's not a good use of our resources." -
Obama, at August 21, 2007, campaign event

"I don't think that should be a top priority of us, raiding people who
are using ... medical marijuana. With all the things we've got to
worry about, and our Justice Department should be doing, that probably
shouldn't be a high priority." - June 2, 2007, town hall meeting

"You know, it's really not a good use of Justice Department
resources." - responding to whether the federal government should stop
medical marijuana raids, August 13, 2007

"The Justice Department going after sick individuals using [marijuana]
as a palliative instead of going after serious criminals makes no
sense." - July 21, 2007, town hall meeting

Then there was the famous Obama administration memo of Oct. 19, 2009.
Attorney General David Ogden told United States attorneys that they
"should not focus federal resources in your States on individuals
whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing
state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana."

In Colorado, the memo meant federal observance for Amendment 20, which
allows doctor-recommended use of marijuana for an assortment of
medical conditions including "severe pain." It allows for the
"acquisition, possession, production, use, or transportation" of
medical marijuana.

The memo led entrepreneurs and investors to open hundreds of medical
marijuana stores in Colorado. Two short years later, in April of 2011,
Colorado U.S. Attorney John Walsh - an Obama appointee - confused
things with a letter to Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. Walsh
told Suthers of Justice Department plans to "vigorously" enforce
federal marijuana laws "against individuals and organizations that
participate in the unlawful manufacturing and distribution activity
involving marijuana, even if such activities are permitted under state
law.

Dennis Burke, U.S. attorney for Arizona, similarly warned officials
about that state's medical marijuana act.

Colorado voters have spoken, for better or worse. Time and experience
will tell us wether this decision proves disastrous, harmless or
meritorious.

We only know that President Obama has spoken and should keep his word.
The federal government should stay out of it and allow Colorado law
enforcement, politicians and their constituents to work this out among
themselves. It's confusing enough without mixed messages and veiled
threats from Uncle Sam. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D