Comments on: Virtual Bowl: Now that AG Holder has ended the DEA raids on dispensaries…

By: starlon

starlon — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:38:30 +0000

We not only survived a tyrannical DEA and president for 8 years (and blatant tyranny for decades prior) we did it coming out of it in a pro-marijuana state — from the intense state of being hard on marijuana, to the largest list of pro-cannabis legislation to date. In fact, the prohibitionists aren’t even attempting to circumvent state medical marijuana laws (or at least not much), because they know they would lose, and piss off constituents in the process. And we have stayed civil abroad, which speaks volumes about marijuana’s assumed dangers. Good job, guys.

By: Brian Kerr

Brian Kerr — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:53:20 +0000

If this policy sticks it will undermined the argument that state “X” can’t bring in medicinal cannabis because it is against federal law.

maybe states which are close to having enough voter support to pass medicinal cannabis will finally be able to do it.

By: bemky

bemky — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:02:03 +0000

we will still see a few raids that will be considered necessary for some crazy reason. Until they flat out legalize it like alcohol we’re gonna have problems and it will look worse for us.

By: fallibilist

fallibilist — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:39:50 +0000

This is a good first step but a small one. Remember, MMJ is a position with 70+% popularity in most states in the nation.

I think the Obama administration is doing the least it can do for the pro-freedom constituency which. The politicians are always a bunch of chickens.

By: herbalist973

herbalist973 — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:43:32 +0000

hopefully this would open the goverments eyes
A bit more and let them know there laws and regulations for the past 30 to 60 years hasn’t helped or stop the use of ibus

By: Unicorn

Unicorn — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:41:04 +0000

If we had a legal and regulated market on all drugs, the DEA could still exist and keep their jobs(off topic I know).

Look at the ATF(E), they enforce the existing laws on alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives, and that could be the function of the DEA.

By: ndarg99

ndarg99 — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:22:10 +0000

I think the DEA will still find some excuse for more raids. They will exploit every loophole they can so they can hold on to their jobs. It is a lot easier busing peaceful potheads than going after crazy, violent pushers of other drugs.

By: Brian Kerr

Brian Kerr — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:52:55 +0000

I hope that the new decrim bill will pass. Maybe there will be some momentum built up before it is introduced. I think the news media will cover the debates on it and I am looking forward to seeing NORMLs coverage.

The police mind set is to enforce the law. They get paid for that. I am afraid anti drug cops will enforce as many laws surrounding the political policy not to bust medicinal cannabis dispensaries, as they can.

By: Radical Russ

Radical Russ — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:44:54 +0000

Cali dispensaries are already paying their sales taxes and federal taxes. The tax evasion that caught Capone was because he wasn’t paying taxes on the illegal proceeds he got from dealing illegal hard liquid drugs.

By: Radical Russ

Radical Russ — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:42:47 +0000

I would think so. I don’t see Holder applying that eviction tactic anymore. If you’re not going to smash’n'raid, then it would be bad PR to play the eviction threat game. Holder would be perceived as using paper instead of guns to accomplish the same raids.