BREAKING: First DEA Medical Marijuana Raid under the Obama Administration
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 at 3:49 pm | By: Radical Russ
Oakland, CA — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided a medical marijuana dispensary today in South Lake Tahoe, California, in the first days of the new Obama Administration. Even though President Barack Obama had made repeated promises during his election campaign to end federal raids in medical marijuana states, many high-ranking Bush Administration officials have yet to leave office. For example, still at the helm of the DEA is acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, who has been responsible for numerous federal raids in California, following in the footsteps of her predecessor Karen Tandy. Neither Eric Holder, President Obama’s pick for U.S. Attorney General, nor a new DEA Administrator, have taken office yet.
“Whether or not this unconscionable raid on a medical marijuana provider is the fault of federal officials from the previous administration, President Obama has an opportunity to change this harmful and outdated policy,” said Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs for Americans for Safe Access (ASA). “We are hopeful that these are the last remnants of the Bush regime and that President Obama will quickly develop a more compassionate policy toward our most vulnerable citizens.”
Medical marijuana and an unknown amount of cash was seized during the raid today from Holistic Solutions, but no arrests were made. This first DEA raid under the new Obama Administration is another example of more than 100 raids on medical marijuana providers that have occurred in California over the past two years. While the greatest federal enforcement has occurred in California, the DEA has been active in other states as well. Federal agents raided the Washington State offices of a medical marijuana advocacy group that was supplying starter plants to hundreds of authorized patients. In Oregon, a federal grand jury was used by the DEA to obtain the medical records of several patients, an effort that was later rejected by a federal court. The DEA also went as far as to threaten New Mexico officials for planning to implement that states medical marijuana distribution program.
“I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users,” Senator Obama said in an August 2007 statement. “It’s not a good use of our resources,” he continued. This statement was followed up by Obama in other public events in the run up to the election. “President Obama must rise to the occasion by quickly correcting this problem and by keeping the promise he made to the voters of this country,” said Woodson. ASA has been working with the new Administration on changing federal law around medical marijuana, which has included providing a comprehensive set of policy recommendations.
Further information:
Comments by Obama on ending medical marijuana raids
ASA medical marijuana recommendations for incoming president Barack Obama
Another smash and grab robbery by the DEA. ”No arrests were made.” Apparently a heinous crime has been committed, because the federal government just seized a citizen’s money and property and ruined his business, and yet nobody is arrested. This is thuggery made legal. If there is a crime, then there is a criminal to arrest. If there is no criminal, there is no crime!
The DEA has a budget to protect. Truth be told, until America comes to it’s senses with regard to cannabis prohobition and DEMANDS full legalization and prudent taxation, THEY(DEA)WILL RUN WILD on your SONS AND DAUGHTERS! Fill jails and increase their budget.
The most sickening irony is the most dangerous thing about cannabis is the laws against it.
Every single public poll supports safe access to medical cannabis by a wide majority. DEA raids on medical cannabis dispensaries target the ill and disabled; are mean spirited; and do nothing to reduce illicit drug use. The public speaks, but politicians don’t listen. But now I have a solution. Ever since I heard about the January raids I have been answering all fund raising phone calls and mail that I get from the Democratic Party with this response:
“I will not give another cent to the Democratic Party until they support a complete overhaul of our Federal drug policy; stop the Federal persecution of medical cannabis users, providers and caregivers; and remove Cannabis from it present Schedule I classification.”
When I speak with fundraisers on the phone, I am always polite, but I tell them in no uncertain terms what my position is, and that I will no longer be donating until the party’s policies change, and I ask them to please give this feedback to their supervisors.
Money talks volumes, and it seems to be a language politicians understand. I am putting that unfortunate reality to work, and hope others do the same.
I called also and got through….I just said the things you all are saying also. I also said “dude, please tell me I’m not the only one who has called and complained” and he basically said “you arent the only one and in fact we have gotten a bunch of calls.”
So keep it up yall!!!!!!
Obama has left the phone off the hook! It’s been busy for a long time! Hopefully that’s a lot of pissed off Americans trying to get through to the switch boards! I emailed him though, I’m sure he’ll pay attention to that one! Yeah, right!
Yesterday the DEA raided a medical marijuana store in South Lake Tahoe, CA. You promised to end those costly raids! What’s up? At the same time you violated the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. You just took a sworn oath to uphold that document a couple of days ago. I know, I watched it and listened to your words. See if you can come back from this and do the right thing.
Cal NORML is sorry to note that the DEA yesterday conducted its
first medical marijuana raid under the Obama administration. Agents
raided Ken Estes’ Holistic Solutions facility in South Lake Tahoe,
taking cash and product but not arresting anyone.
Supporters are urged to call the White House and ask that Obama act
promptly on his pledge to end DEA medical marijuana raids. White
House hotline phone is 202-456=1111.
Note that Obama still hasn’t named a new DEA chief or Drug Czar
and that the old Bush appointees for US attorneys are still in place.
This isn’t unusual, as it normally takes time for a new
administration to take control. However, we should remind Obama that
this is a problem that deserves quick attention.
– D Gieringer, Cal NORML
>—————————————————————————
>Hello,
>
>ASA is already getting great feedback from activists around the country who
>have taken part in ASA’s latest action alert urging supporters to call the
>White House. In fact, the White House comment line is currently staffed
>with LIVE volunteers taking hand-written notes from callers. These notes
>will be compiled and provided to the call center manager. IF ENOUGH CALLS
>ARE MADE TODAY, OUR REQUEST TO HALT DEA RAIDS COULD MAKE IT TO THE WHITE
>HOUSE DESK!
>
>In other words, you can make a difference! Check out the feedback from one
>of our excellent activists:
>
> I just called Obama at 202-456-1111. They have no computers and are
>taking hand-written notes. The VOLUNTEER who answered the phone for me
>said, I wasn’t the only one to call him about this and there are over a
>dozen volunteers and the phones are ringing off the hook. I told him about
>the DEA raid yesterday & asked for Obama to keep his promise about ending
>DEA raids on medical cannabis patients and hoped he would end them for
>medical cannabis providers as well. He speculated that the DEA may have
>been trying to get one last raid in before the transition is complete. All
>the notes will be gathered into “subject” and given to the call-center boss
>and may be reported to Obama. Please call. Let your voice be heard. If you
>get a busy signal, try again. Leave a voicemail or speak to a real person.
>You want change, demand it. Be the Change you want to see in the World.
>
>We couldn’t say it better ourselves!! It is important that you to action
>RIGHT NOW!
>
>Call President Obama and urge that he issue an immediate suspension to all
>federal funds used to investigate, intimidate, arrest, and prosecute
>individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their
>state laws. CALL THE WHITE HOUSE at (202) 456-1111 and say:
>
> “Hi, my name is _____________. Yesterday, the Drug Enforcement
>Agency raided a medical cannabis dispensary in Tahoe, California. The
>dispensary was raided by DEA despite numerous statements by President Obama
>saying he would end federal interference with state medical cannabis laws.
>I’m very concerned about outgoing DEA officials undermining these state laws
>and aggressively threatening innocent Americans. I’m also concerned about
>DEA taking action that is in direct conflict with President Obama’s stated
>position. I am pleading with President Obama to issue an immediate
>suspension of all federal funds used to investigate, intimidate, arrest, or
>prosecute individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with
>their state laws. Medical marijuana patients want change, too! Please help
>us now.”
>
>Caren Woodson
>Americans for Safe Access
>
>—–Original Message—–
>From: owner-dpfca@drugsense.org [mailto:owner-dpfca@drugsense.org] On Behalf
>Of Kris Hermes
>Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 6:16 PM
>To: DPFCA
>Subject: DPFCA: First Medical Marijuana Raid by DEA under Obama
>Administration
>
>—————————————————————————
>*PRESS RELEASE
>Americans for Safe Access
>For Immediate Release: *January 22, 2009
>*Contact: *ASA Media Liaison Kris Hermes 510-681-6361
>
>*First Medical Marijuana Raid by DEA under Obama Administration* /Advocates
>call on president Obama to quickly change harmful, outdated policy/
>
>*Oakland, CA *– The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided a medical
>marijuana dispensary today in South Lake Tahoe, California, in the first
>days of the new Obama Administration. Even though President Barack Obama had
>made repeated promises during his election campaign to end federal raids in
>medical marijuana states, many high-ranking Bush Administration officials
>have yet to leave office. For example, still at the helm of the DEA is
>acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, who has been responsible for numerous
>federal raids in California, following in the footsteps of her predecessor
>Karen Tandy. Neither Eric Holder, President Obama’s pick for U.S. Attorney
>General, nor a new DEA Administrator, have taken office yet.
>
>”Whether or not this unconscionable raid on a medical marijuana provider is
>the fault of federal officials from the previous administration, President
>Obama has an opportunity to change this harmful and outdated policy,” said
>Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs for Americans for Safe Access
>(ASA). “We are hopeful that these are the last remnants of the Bush regime
>and that President Obama will quickly develop a more compassionate policy
>toward our most vulnerable citizens.”
>
>Medical marijuana and an unknown amount of cash was seized during the raid
>today from Holistic Solutions, but no arrests were made. This first DEA raid
>under the new Obama Administration is another example of more than 100 raids
>on medical marijuana providers that have occurred in California over the
>past two years. While the greatest federal enforcement has occurred in
>California, the DEA has been active in other states as well. Federal agents
>raided the Washington State offices of a medical marijuana advocacy group
>that was supplying starter plants to hundreds of authorized patients. In
>Oregon, a federal grand jury was used by the DEA to obtain the medical
>records of several patients, an effort that was later rejected by a federal
>court. The DEA also went as far as to threaten New Mexico officials for
>planning to implement that states medical marijuana distribution program.
>
>”I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical
>marijuana users,” Senator Obama said in an August 2007 statement. “It’s not
>a good use of our resources,” he continued. This statement was followed up
>by Obama in other public events in the run up to the election. “President
>Obama must rise to the occasion by quickly correcting this problem and by
>keeping the promise he made to the voters of this country,” said Woodson.
>ASA has been working with the new Administration on changing federal law
>around medical marijuana, which has included providing a comprehensive set
>of policy recommendations.
>
>Further information:
>Comments by Obama on ending medical marijuana raids:
>http://granitestaters.com/candidates/barack_obama.html
>ASA medical marijuana recommendations for incoming president Barack
>Obama: http://AmericansForSafeAccess.org/PresidentialRecommendations/
>
Hopefully this will force the oBAMA administration to show there cards on this issue now.
This needs to end 2 days ago.
ASA Action alert! Call and e-mail the White House!
Can you believe that DEA would act so quickly to undermine and disregard the statements made by President Obama?
Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration, currently staffed by officials from the Bush Administration, raided a medical cannabis dispensary in South Lake Tahoe, California. They did so knowing full well that President Obama has repeatedly pledged to end federal threats, arrests, and prosecutions of patients and their providers in medical cannabis states.
You can see video clips of Obama’s statements here and here.
We are shocked and awed! For DEA to act with such brazen arrogance and in direct conflict with the new President‚s pledge to end federal raids is deeply concerning. With only weeks left in office, it is clear that top DEA officials are using this transitional period to exploit the differences in policy between the old and new administration.
We need you to act? and we need you to act NOW!
Call President Obama and urge that he issue an immediate suspension to all federal funds used to investigate, intimidate, arrest, and prosecute individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their state laws. Call the White House at (202) 456-1111 and say:
“Hi, my name is _____________. Today, the Drug Enforcement Agency raided a medical cannabis dispensary in Tahoe, California. The dispensary was raided by DEA despite numerous statements by President Obama saying he would end federal interference with state medical cannabis laws. I’m very concerned about outgoing DEA officials undermining these state laws and aggressively threatening innocent Americans. I’m also concerned about DEA taking action that is an affront to President Obama’s position. I am pleading with President Obama to issue an immediate suspension of all federal funds used to investigate, intimidate, arrest, or prosecute individuals who use or provide medical cannabis in accordance with their state laws. We are being threatened by our own DEA. Please help us.”
President Obama’s position on medical marijuana is no secret. This is the single most important action you have been asked to take this year. We need President Obama’s support. Once you‚ve made this phone call, please forward this message to friends and family. Then visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact to copy and paste the above message.
Sincerely,
George Pappas
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access