74% of Voters, Across the Political Spectrum: Stop Interfering with State MMJ laws

[RainDog]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/republicans-state-medical-marijuana-laws_n_1519176.html?1337118069&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Asked whether voters felt President Obama should respect the medical marijuana laws in these states, or use federal resources to arrest and prosecute individuals who are acting in compliance with state medical marijuana laws, 74 percent of voters nationally said the president should respect state laws, 15 percent said he should prosecute in accordance with federal law and 11 percent weren't sure.

...Non-intervention polled well across parties and demographics, with 75 percent of Democrats, 67 percent of Republicans and 79 percent of independents signaling their support for a hands-off federal approach to state medical marijuana laws. A full 75 percent of women stated they support states' rights when it comes to medical marijuana, which is somewhat surprising, given ample public polling in Colorado and California that suggests more women oppose legalization than men.

A non-intervention policy was also broadly supported across racial groups, with 73 percent of whites, 73 percent of Hispanics and 81 percent of blacks in favor, although polling for minorities may be less accurate: 71 percent of all respondents were white.

Respondents were interviewed nationwide from May 10 through May 14, 2012, by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of Washington, D.C. Eighty-five percent of respondents were 35 or older, and as a whole were split 48 percent male to 52 percent female.

Look at that! Americans can agree on something!

[Politicalboi]

1. How come only

Gay marriage goes state by state with no Fed's involved (DOMA), but this is just fine. Gay marriage needs to be a Federal issue if it's ever going to go anywhere. And the Fed's need to stay out of the pot shops. Aren't pot shops a business? So in our 21st Century world, they ARE people.

[RainDog]

4. I think this needs to be a federal issue too

and it is, simply because previous presidents and legislatures made it so.

What needs to happen at the federal level is rescheduling based upon DEA Administrative Judge Francis Young's ruling more than 20 years ago- there is no more need for any more hearings. Simply admit that this issue has gone the way it has because of corruption in the DEA and political calculations that are no longer useful for the hateful parties that instigated them.

Then, with all the air gone from the prohibitionist's claims, the House and the Senate need to pass the HB 2306 to legalize all cannabis, including hemp.

Until that happens, the federal govt will continue to demonstrate that special interests are more important than science and the well being of Americans.

[ArcticFox]

2. And think of the deficit reduction

Hell, why not just legalize it altogether, and levy taxes as with alcohol and tobacco? We would simultaneously cut spending, increase revenues, and have more resources to go after real criminals (bankers, murderers, rapists).

Why this can't be sold politically is beyond me.

[RainDog]

8. agreed. n/t

[Jamaal510]

11. Much of the country feels the same way.

But our elected officials are at the mercy of these interest groups regarding the mmj debate:
http://blog.wheresweed.com/medical-marijuana/2012/may/top-five-special-interest-groups-lobbying-against-medical-marijuana/

[brewens]

3. Here's a guy striking a blow for the other side. Most of the

people I know that live here are calling B.S. He brought the snake in himself we figure to try for a lawsuit. Pretty easy if you aren't afraid of snakes. Close to medical care and everything.

It's hard to imagine in that area a wild snake making it into the store. Not at all hard to imagine where he lives capturing one this time of year. Two guys got busted for trying the same thing with a copperhead down south I think. Probably where he got the idea.

If that's not dumb enough he announces he's a medical grower. He may have the state card but he's in hostile territory as far as law enforcement is concerned. He can probably expect some special attention from the yokel sheriff. Even if you're "legal", it's best to keep a low profile in these parts.


http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/05/15/rattlesnake-bites-pot-grower-at-walmart/?iid=nf-article-trend-now

[RainDog]

6. strange

why would a snake or a person want to go to Walmart? Walmart is probably one of the most depressing places I have ever been to in my life. I would rather buy less than buy from Walmart.

but - even if the local sheriff is not happy about the guy's situation, the Supreme Court has already ruled that state and local law enforcement cannot decide to choose to enforce federal rather than state law.

however, I would imagine, given the recent hostile climate, that anyone who is involved in such things would be better off to not draw attention. it seems that's the reason several people's businesses were raided - not because of any violation of state law, but, in various states, because they were open about their activity.

[brewens]

41. I could see the cops "inspecting" his place to make sure he's not cheating. I imagine

they suspect most of the medical growers to be dealing anyway. Not the kind of attention I would want.

I would also wonder if the local cops could find out about a guy like that and bring in the feds. Especially a guy they suspect trying to pull off a scam.

[Webster Green]

5. So, How is this still perceived as a political hot-button issue?

Whenever a discussion of this issue comes up on DU, there are numerous posts about how endorsing medicinal cannabis would be political suicide. I always argue that it is no longer true, and these polls support that.

We need to push for cannabis re-classification from schedule 1, on the federal drug list. The federal anti-pot laws are based on lies, not science.

[RainDog]

7. I agree

This issue is a sad example of a failure of federal-level govt. in its refusal to respond to the will of the people.

Even those who are hampering any forward movement don't have the support of constituents (as in Lamar Smith, who is holding up discussion of HB 2306.)

I mean, there will ALWAYS be a segment of the American population that opposes rational policy. Always.

But most Americans are way ahead of too many politicians on this issue - which is why it's important to let people know what's real and what's not.

What's real is that Americans want change in federal policy regarding cannabis. They do not want feds to waste money enforcing ignorant drug laws concerning cannabis.

[StrictlyRockers]

10. Rec'd. Even though ai have stopped smoking.

n/t

[RainDog]

12. hard to believe, but

not everyone who posts about this issue is all about smoking it.

however, people always assume that anyone who does is a stoner. but - not so.

[RainDog]

19. I get it

but some people are such authoritarian assholes they never will.

[frylock]

31. look below..

authoritarian asshole alert. don't be breakin no laws now!

[boppers]

14. Another "OMG, law breakers are pissed", and a MMJ thread.

1. Follow all the laws.
2. Don't get busted as a result of not following laws.

Our less-than-Einstein citizens cannot quite grasp the above.

[Warren DeMontague]

15. And was that your advice to gay couples in Texas prior to the Lawrence Decision?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas

Some laws are WRONG. Period.

[RainDog]

20. ...

The law is the law! You just sit down and be quiet.

[boppers]

21. Best response to my post.

However, I don't think what is done in a bedroom, and what is done in a business, compares.

Corporations are not people.

[Comrade Grumpy]

28. Corporations are not people? Tell that to Tom Daubert.

He was a political consultant in Montana who worked on the initiative okaying medical marijuana there. Once it was state law and once the Obama administration signalled it wasn't going to interfere, he opened up Montana Cannabis in full compliance with state law. It was raided in March 2011 when the DEA swept across the state raiding dozens of medical marijuana businesses in the first sign the Obama administration had had a change of heart. Now, he's looking at 20 years in federal prison. A family that partnered with him has already been sentenced to prison, including a mentally and physically ill 68-year-old who got five years.

You can Google for Mr. Daubert if you like.

There are real people serving real prison time over this crap, because the Obama administration flip-flopped. That injustice pisses some of us off. You can laugh if you like.

[frylock]

34. authoritarians don't give a shit..

to their closed minds this is all about cheeto-eating slackers burning tree. and even though that has zero effect on their pathetic lives whatsoever, it's still "against the law," and they simply cannot tolerate that.

[boppers]

45. He opened a business?

Really.

Tell me again how a business deserves the same rights as a person.

[Comrade Grumpy]

52. The business isn't looking at a 20-year prison sentence, Mr. Daubert is.

[RainDog]

29. this isn't about corporations. this is about mmj patients

this is about an entire set of laws built upon racism that has been allowed to stand for 70 years.

this is about the intrusion of federal-level entities who are upholding bad laws to BENEFIT corporations.

Why do you think the private prison industry, esp. Corrections Corp. of America, the Alcoholic Beverage Industry and the pharmaceutical industries are the top lobbyist against marijuana reform?

it's NOT because they are such enlightened civil liberties-loving good Amurikans.

jesus - flog that dead horse. that's how America became the nation that imprisons more citizens than China.

[Warren DeMontague]

17. Yeah.

Those fucking cancer grannies, they should know better. What are they thinking, smoking a plant in the privacy of their own home to ease their chemo nausea. Lock em up. Lock em ALL up!

[RainDog]

18. LOL

if you don't like to read it, hide the thread. no one is forcing you to read anything on this site.

interesting, tho, about that Oregon Attn Gen's office election, huh?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=691702

Ellen Rosenblum, friend of medical marijuana, defeated former interim US Attorney Dwight Holden, foe of medical marijuana, by a margin of 63% to 37% for the Democratic attorney general nomination in a campaign where the therapeutic herb was a BIG issue

Although Holton was heavily favored early in the race, he was targeted for defeat by medical marijuana patients and their advocates after threatening medical marijuana providers and their landlords with property confiscation, and overseeing several medical marijuana raids while serving as interim U.S. Attorney last fall. In addition, Holton had pledged to work with Republican legislators who are “anxious” to change the medical marijuana law. With no Republican on the ballot in November, Rosenblum is all but certain to be the state’s next Attorney General.

Looks like Democrats who bet on your side of this issue are losers with the majority of Democrats - and the American people.

But you go ahead and spout that bullshit. I'm sure there are some Republicans who will buy it.

[bupkus]

23. This isn't another "OMG, law breakers are pissed", and a MMJ thread

This is another "law MAKERS are idiots and people are pissed", and a MMJ thread.

Don't you get it? If people followed all laws without question there would still be laws allowing, to name a few, slavery, "inter-racial" marriage, poll taxes, no right to vote for women, just to name a few.

It is the duty of citizens in a free society to oppose laws that violate their rights.

Our less-than-Einstein citizens cannot quite grasp the above.

[RainDog]

27. sadly, some people don't get it

for some people, the eric cartman is strong.

[boppers]

47. Also legal elsewhere, but not in the US:

Child "brides".
Polygamy.
Stoning a child to death for being raped.
Selling children.
Killing people for blasphemy.
Killing people for burning books.
Selling "drugs" that do more harm than good.

"If people followed all laws without question" is a good point.

Keeping a handle on safe, responsible, drug use is a good point, which is why it's regulated, and people aren't allowed to legally sell shit alcohol, and fake anti-biotics, and "medicine" that only promotes addiction, but not cures....

I'd be fine with MMJ regulated like alcohol, or tobacco, but the people screaming lately don't seem to want it to be regulated.

They're like the NRA of MMJ, demanding *no* rules, regulations, licensing, or social safety measures.

So, seeing this is DU, let's posit a thought experiment: Would you be okay with MMJ growers and users subject to licensing similar to that of carrying a gun? Would you be okay with illegal gun/MMJ sellers being prosecuted for any/all legal violations?

[RainDog]

49. LOLOL!!!!

those are some false equivalencies you've got going there!

yeah, allowing states to regulate their medical marijuana laws is exactly the same thing as selling children.

what part of "regulation" do you not understand? If an industry is regulated, that means it's subject to the laws regarding that industry.

[boppers]

50. Are you in favor of MMJ laws against selling to children?

How about selling handguns to children?

How about gun shops near schools, or MMJ shops near schools?

[RainDog]

51. I think the lunatics have taken over the asylum

you can read here, over and over, my point that regulation would help remove access to cannabis for children. I've even posted studies that talk about reduced use among teens in The Netherlands with their relaxed drug policies.

that's the point of regulation - to limit access to adults, in the same way that alcohol is regulated.

that's beyond the issue of medical marijuana, of course, but most people who support mmj also support legal recreational mj.

your questions are ridiculous.

[boppers]

53. So, you're *in favor* of the raids under Obama, if they take out those breaking the regulations?

I was under a different impression.

[RainDog]

55. LOL

I knew you thought you were being clever.

I was waiting to see if you'd pull this one out of your behind.

No. I am in favor of letting the states work out their own laws. States have legalized medical marijuana. The raids conducted based upon federal restrictions regarding zoning don't necessarily match those at the state level.

We don't see the DEA getting involved in other zoning issues in these states - there is no need for them to get involved in these, either.

What the DEA needs to do is accept that the majority of Americans recognize they are lying their asses off about this issue and they need to stop those lies. immediately.

Michelle Leonhart needs to stop killing people because she gets paid a nice salary to lie.

That's what I support.

Obama needs to step back from the right wing position on this, just as he has on gay marriage. He needs to "evolve" and recognize that these raids are hurting people and impeding the progress of safe and sane laws regarding cannabis.

[boppers]

56. Uhm...

"The raids conducted based upon federal restrictions regarding zoning don't necessarily match those at the state level"

What about the ones based on State laws? You fine with those raids, then? A bunch of the raids were for violating tax law, zoning law, corporate entity law, labor law, money laundering law, and even MMJ law...

Are you going to pick and choose which should, and shouldn't, be raided based on which state, and federal laws are being broken?

"We don't see the DEA getting involved in other zoning issues in these states - there is no need for them to get involved in these, either. "

ATF and FBI and DoJ tend to be the go-to agencies, but yes, the Fed does get involve when a Federal crime is committed inside a state where the state thinks there is "no crime". See: Desegration, Bootlegging, Hate Crime, Domestic Violence, etc.

[RainDog]

57. I'm done with you

zoning laws and desegregation are two different things.

you were talking about zoning.

We're talking about laws that have been passed by a state - so please, don't waste my time or others inventing these bullshit issues that don't apply to the issue at hand.

look, you want to support the DEA raiding mmj dispensaries and making it more difficult for people with illnesses to receive useful medication.

I get that.

I don't agree. We don't agree.

The majority of Americans don't agree.

I find you tiresome.

I would never want you to be involved in my life if I had cancer, for instance. I would go for those "non law abiding" citizens any day.

To me, you are part of the problem.

Have a great day.

[boppers]

58. If you had cancer, I'd be more than happy to hook you up with legal growers, not some "mill".

Their stuff tends to be better, cheaper, and safer than the scam "clinics".

They also tend to get pissed off at the industrial "growers" out to make cash off of the sick and needy, and "recreational ill".

[Webster Green]

25. How insulting.

You must be a cop.

[frylock]

32. this is about changing the laws, einstein

[bubbalubagus]

39. it seems that you cannot grasp the below

although i understand your sentiment to a degree- if you smoke in the privacy of your home you will almost never get in trouble, this is an article about people trying to act within the boundaries of the laws of their states! set aside the issue of one's obligation to follow what they may consider an unjust law, i'm not going to compare every stoner to rosa parks here, what this thread and many others are driving at is clear discrimination on the part of the federal govt. to this end, they are spending untold tax dollars padding DEA budgets and unjustly imprisoning US citizens for a cause that the majority of Americans disagree with.

[fascisthunter]

43. Yeah, because the Law is protecting people... or sumtin'

[glowing]

22. Most people are compassionate to those who

Use MMJ for illness like cancer, etc. Most "moms" don't want their children drinking alcohol or Smoking cigarettes; they just don't like the idea of their kids adding that into the mix, even though legalizing it would probably make it tougher for easy access with regulations in place.

[RainDog]

30. A Dutch study indicated regulation reduces teen use

so, yes, if you want to reduce the number of kids (esp. VERY YOUNG TEENS) who have access to cannabis - regulate and sell it and require i.d. to purchase, like alcohol for recreational use or a prescription for medical use.

[frylock]

33. i had at least 10 different sources available when i was in high school

that was in the 80s long before any dispensaries had opened.

[RainDog]

40. most anyone could find cannabis, even now

within an hour, if they knew where to ask and didn't act like a jerk, in most cities and towns in the U.S. - not all, but most.

this is the reality - one in ten American adults used cannabis in the last year.

[chickypea]

24. Prescription Meds v Weed

Most prescription medication has far more damaging side effects than marijuana has. For every action there is a reaction, and often the reaction is worse than the condition being cured.
Large pharma does not want something so easily grown and distributed out there.

It was the cigarette companies that originally fought to make MJ illegal, and it is now the pharmaceutical companies attempting to keep it so.

[bupkus]

26. I just got a prescription for a "muscle relaxant" from my doctor

To help with back spasms. I read the side effects and decided to live with the back spasms.

[bvar22]

35. About the same number who OPPOSED Mandates without a Public Option,

and, yet,
Here We ARE!!!


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]

[RainDog]

38. something is rotten in the state of Denmark

well, not. they have universal health care.

however, within the federal govt - something really stinks about the way corporations are treated as more human than humans.

[bubbalubagus]

36. rec even tho like many others i stopped bc of work

tho i feel i should clarify that i stopped out of responsibility (the possibility of drug tests), and not bc i feel it affects my ability to do my job in the least. this is another reason why it is looked at as "juvenile" and something that you stop once you get a job, but cause and effect are being misconstrued by pot haters/drug-war lovers/ppl who love to make other ppl's choices. they are all the same.

also, might i add here, that the eventual response i got from the WH regarding the legality of marijuana was downright insulting. "it is a leading cause of voluntary hospital admissions among teenagers"? really? maybe bc you have pumped them so full of misleading and apparently damaging information that it is dangerous. that is when you know, and have known for a long time, that it isn't. furthermore, if it was truly dangerous, wouldn't it be a leading cause of IN-voluntary hospital ER admissions? did you really need me to point that out to you? or were you content to make a weak case for the status quo and move on without flexing a single brain cell.

the government should seek to do the greatest good for the greatest number of ppl, and their stance of marijuana benefits very few, and worse yet they know it.

[RainDog]

37. Wow - they really tried to pass off that bullshit argument?

the eventual response i got from the WH regarding the legality of marijuana was downright insulting. "it is a leading cause of voluntary hospital admissions among teenagers"?

The reason for this has nothing to do with marijuana - it has to do with a legal system that allows people to dismiss charges if they'll go into rehab.

However, NORML noted that people who go into rehab have, on avg, abstained from cannabis use for one month prior.

THAT is not what happens when someone has an addiction to a substance.

The utter BULLSHIT behind this whole situation is incredible. It's SHAMEFUL for Democrats to propagate this sort of "lie by omission" because they don't want to deal with reality. Seems like the federal govt. is the one that has a substance abuse problem.

[RainDog]

42. x-posting the judge's plea for pot

from this thread - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002698108

Because this is why so many Americans want the Federal Govt. to change this law NOW.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/opinion/a-judges-plea-for-medical-marijuana.html?_r=1

...I did not foresee that after having dedicated myself for 40 years to a life of the law, including more than two decades as a New York State judge, my quest for ameliorative and palliative care would lead me to marijuana.

Inhaled marijuana is the only medicine that gives me some relief from nausea, stimulates my appetite, and makes it easier to fall asleep. The oral synthetic substitute, Marinol, prescribed by my doctors, was useless. Rather than watch the agony of my suffering, friends have chosen, at some personal risk, to provide the substance. I find a few puffs of marijuana before dinner gives me ammunition in the battle to eat. A few more puffs at bedtime permits desperately needed sleep.

This is not a law-and-order issue; it is a medical and a human rights issue. Being treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I am receiving the absolute gold standard of medical care. But doctors cannot be expected to do what the law prohibits, even when they know it is in the best interests of their patients. When palliative care is understood as a fundamental human and medical right, marijuana for medical use should be beyond controversy.

Given my position as a sitting judge still hearing cases, well-meaning friends question the wisdom of my coming out on this issue. But I recognize that fellow cancer sufferers may be unable, for a host of reasons, to give voice to our plight. It is another heartbreaking aporia in the world of cancer that the one drug that gives relief without deleterious side effects remains classified as a narcotic with no medicinal value.

This judge's experience mirrors the reality that the Attn. Gen. for the State of Utah found when he was dx'd with cancer and he, too, became familiar with the actual experiences of others whose use of cannabis made it possible for him to survive.

This judge's experience will not, hopefully, mirror that of Peter McWilliams, who was killed by the DEA when he was forbidden the use of the medical marijuana that allowed him to keep down his life saving medications, but who was constrained from its use in order to avoid financial ruin for his mother.

STOP HURTING PEOPLE, Michelle Leonhart.

Stop KILLING PEOPLE, Michelle Leonhart. Your inaction, your refusal to reschedule cannabis is killing people. That makes you a murderer.

[Uncle Joe]

44. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Raindog.

[boxman15]

46. I hope President Obama and the Justice Department take note of this poll and change course.

Their MMJ policy makes no sense, coming from a big supporter of his. I don't understand it at all.

[RainDog]

48. I hope they take note of it too

I agree that current policy makes no sense.

I think the conservative climate in DC tends to make pols unaware of the support this issue has among American citizens.

Instead, they hear what the DEA has to say, or what the liquor lobby has to say - and those and other lobbying groups don't reflect the sentiment of the American people.

[sarcasmo]

54. Legalize NOW!

[Go Vols]

59. uh

I just want to grow a few plants to get me from one season to the next,much like I do with the rest of the garden.


Leave me alone plz.

[RainDog]

60. you are, obviously, a horrible person

when looking at this issue in the U.S. - it's like living in bizarro land.

sure, we can have all sorts of pharma drugs that have horrid side effects. but allow someone to grow a cannabis plant? toss them in jail!

even with advances in state law - the federal law hurts too many people who live in states, like Tennessee, that refuse to do the right thing.

sadly, the only thing that changes some people's minds is when they have a family member who suffers and finds relief. otherwise, they're perfectly content to let others suffer.

[Go Vols]

62. kick

[Rex]

63. Living in a police state means never getting your voice heard.

The number could be 99% and yet the Feds would still pretend with the best of them.

[RainDog]

64. Reminds me of Lysenkoism

The Soviets refused to acknowledge scientific research, too, and ignored data that indicated best practices for agriculture b/c the idea that plants compete for resources was offensive to their ideology. the result was massive starvation.

here, we have bureaucrats claiming there is no medical use for cannabis when science indicates they're lying.

...because their ideology will not allow them to admit the reality that the entire prohibition of cannabis was based upon a propaganda campaign grounded in lies to target certain groups in society.

and its continuation was and is grounded upon lies that continue to target certain groups within society.

and people die because of their ideological blindness.