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WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal drug agents won't pursue pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers in states that allow medical marijuana, under new legal guidelines to be issued Monday by the Obama administration.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

The guidelines to be issued by the department do, however, make it clear that agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes, the officials said.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

California is unique among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries - businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

A three-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo, the officials said, emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued.

"This is a major step forward," said Bruce Mirken, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This change in policy moves the federal government dramatically toward respecting scientific and practical reality."

...

danefan wrote:I think there was some talk a while back of the possiblity of this happened, but I'm not sure it was ever "official". Its about time, if you as me. Complete waste of money to prosecute people for marijuana.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091019/D9BE5D2G0.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal drug agents won't pursue pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers in states that allow medical marijuana, under new legal guidelines to be issued Monday by the Obama administration.

Two Justice Department officials described the new policy to The Associated Press, saying prosecutors will be told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

The guidelines to be issued by the department do, however, make it clear that agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes, the officials said.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

Fourteen states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

California is unique among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries - businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.

Attorney General Eric Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

A three-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo, the officials said, emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the legal guidance before it is issued.

"This is a major step forward," said Bruce Mirken, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This change in policy moves the federal government dramatically toward respecting scientific and practical reality."

...

wkuhillhound wrote:As far as I know, marijuana has not killed a single person

polsongrizz wrote:About time, fuck the FEDS.

OSBF wrote:now make hookers legal

regulate 'em

tax their pants off

huge money to be made

Cap'n Cat wrote:

polsongrizz wrote:About time, fuck the FEDS.

You're right, P, and Conks shouldn't bitch about this. He's turning it back to the states and saving the money Feds use to enforce this silly sh*t.

Further proof of what blind dumb fvcks Cheney/Bush/Reagan were.

AZGrizFan wrote:

Cap'n Cat wrote:

You're right, P, and Conks shouldn't bitch about this. He's turning it back to the states and saving the money Feds use to enforce this silly sh*t.

Further proof of what blind dumb fvcks Cheney/Bush/Reagan were.

Hey, Lenin? Did Bush/Reagan WRITE those Fed laws?

God forbid we enforce laws that are on the books.

Fuckin' dope smokin' hippies.

bandl wrote:

wkuhillhound wrote:As far as I know, marijuana has not killed a single person

Except for, you know, the whole drug smuggling industry

CitadelGrad wrote:This guy is going to be very happy. There will be bud.

[youtube][/youtube]

bandl wrote:

wkuhillhound wrote:As far as I know, marijuana has not killed a single person

Except for, you know, the whole drug smuggling industry

wkuhillhound wrote:

bandl wrote:


Except for, you know, the whole drug smuggling industry

Has medicinal marijuana killed anyone?

3rd suspect arrested in killing of security guard at medical marijuana shop

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Hey, Lenin? Did Bush/Reagan WRITE those Fed laws?

God forbid we enforce laws that are on the books.

Fuckin' dope smokin' hippies.

no... nixon did - they just dialed up enforcement

JMU DJ wrote:

wkuhillhound wrote:
Has medicinal marijuana killed anyone?

3rd suspect arrested in killing of security guard at medical marijuana shop

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... juana.html

D1B wrote:

bandl wrote:


Except for, you know, the whole drug smuggling industry

**** that. that blood is on the feds for making it illegal. That weed is illegal is the best thing for smugglers and gun suppliers.

ATrain wrote:Just freaking legalize it and then tax it...it'll solve a lot of problems:
1. Cops can focus on more serious issues
2. Budget deficit will be gone

Pwns wrote:But what about the children?

TwinTownBisonFan wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Hey, Lenin? Did Bush/Reagan WRITE those Fed laws?

God forbid we enforce laws that are on the books.

****' dope smokin' hippies.

no... nixon did - they just dialed up enforcement

ATrain wrote:Just freaking legalize it and then tax it...it'll solve a lot of problems:
1. Cops can focus on more serious issues
2. Budget deficit will be gone