Medical Marijuana Patients: Congress Votes To End The War
The Deathstar suffered serious setbacks Thursday night as rebel forces rallied to wage a… no, but seriously, Thursday night the DEA suffered serious setbacks in their continuing war against legitimate medical marijuana patients and providers when Congress forces approved an amendment that effectively prevents the Department of Justice and the DEA from interfering with states rights to implement and regulate their own medical marijuana laws.
Amendment 25 to H.R. 4660, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), marks the first time in history that Congress has voted (219-189) in favor of ending the federal government’s open targeting of medical marijuana with use of public funds. After six previous failed attempts to pass similar legislation, Amendment 25 passed with a record “high” 49 Republicans crossing “party” lines and joining the 170 Democrats in voting for the measure. In the previous six failed attempts, the most Republicans who voted in favor were 15. The real victory here isn’t the wording or implementation of this amendment, but rather the clear marker of the first time our legislators have taken any affirmative step in ending the prohibition on marijuana (medical or otherwise).
To get crusty, uptight, “grandfathered” into term, delegates to vote “pro weed” is a victory in itself. Was it Gupta and the medical community doing a complete 180 on the benefits of cannabis? Or was it the fact the Colorado and Washington models didn’t spontaneously combust into unholy flames, whilst turning everyone into salt? Or maybe it was the tax revenue generated by Harborside alone for the city of Oakland? Seems like these days, some of the staunchest cannabis opponents are the first to jump on the bandwagon. (and it’s probably a phish bandwagon). Regardless of the reason, it’s pretty obvious that the dominoes are falling, and it’s only a matter of time before other pot-friendly legislation hits the floor. Hopefully by that time conservatives cease to consider it a partisan issue. That speakeasy life can only last so long.
Albeit this is a step in the right direction, I wouldn’t go rushing out to dance in the streets just yet. Amendment 25 is intended to prohibit obstruction of state medical marijuana programs using tax dollars, but don’t put it past the DEA and over zealous joint narcotic task forces to come up with new and creative ways to be a buzz kill. What? You think they’re just going to give up that easily?
Read More: http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2014/06/01/medical-marijuana-patients-congress-votes-to-end-war/
