Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jun 2014
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2014 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Amanda Reiman
Page: A18

FEINSTEIN MEDICAL POT CLAIMS ARE WRONG

Sen. Dianne Feinstein is inaccurate in her opposition to ending
federal interference in state medical marijuana programs. Feinstein
claims that, "Federal action has closed more than 400 such 'rogue
dispensaries' in California since 2012, but the House amendment would
prevent these critical enforcement activities from continuing." First,
this amendment protects people following state law exclusively. The
DEA could still go after cartels and production in state or national
parks in addition to other activities that violate a state's medical
marijuana program. Second, the dispensaries targeted by the feds in
California have not all been "rogue dispensaries." In fact, many held
licenses from the cities in which they operated and were following
their local laws, and two cities, Berkeley and Oakland, have gone so
far as to sue the feds for interfering in their medical marijuana
programs. Until the state provides a state-level agency to administer
the state's medical marijuana program, it will remain vulnerable to
federal interference.

Amanda Reiman

Policy Manager California Drug Policy Alliance Berkeley
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MAP posted-by: Matt