Just saw this in another forum. Very good news!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/02/27/MN2016651R.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/02/27/MN2016651R.DTL
Eric Holder Speaks.
- Thread starter Mahoney
- Start date
couchlock907
Active Member
Attorney General Eric Holder said the Obama administration "strongly opposes" a California ballot measure to legalize marijuana, warning that federal drug-enforcement efforts would be "greatly complicated" if the measure passes.
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Associated Press Ed Willey, left, and Sol Posada harvest marijuana at a farm in Davenport, Calif., Tuesday. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the administration would continue to enforce federal laws against marijuana if California passes a ballot initiative legalizing pot in next month's election.
Journal Community
Recent polls indicate voters narrowly favor passing the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act, also known as Proposition 19, in next month's election. If passed, the measure would only affect state law, leaving intact the federal law that classifies marijuana as a controlled substance alongside cocaine and other drugs.
Mr. Holder said in a letter Wednesday to nine former Drug Enforcement Administration chiefs that the administration would continue to enforce federal law if California legalizes marijuana. The DEA chiefs had urged him to speak out on the matter.
The ballot measure would block state police officers from seizing marijuana that complies with state law. That would be a "significant impediment" for federal agents, Mr. Holder wrote, because the federal government typically works with local law enforcement when carrying out marijuana and other drug busts.
Already, California has decriminalized possession of smaller quantities of marijuana deemed to be for personal use. The measure would go further than existing law in California and other states that allow use of the drug for medicinal purposes.
Evan Perez explains why Attorney General Eric Holder is warning California that Federal drug enforcement efforts would be "greatly complicated" if voters in the Golden State next month approve a ballot measure to legalize marijuana.
The Obama administration has largely hewed to the marijuana-enforcement policy of previous administrations. Mr. Holder has said the government won't target medicinal-marijuana operations that comply with state law, but will continue to pursue prosecutions of traffickers.
The Yes on 19 campaign backing the California measure said passage "would kick-start a national conversation about changing our country's obviously failed marijuana prohibition policies."
Joseph McNamara, a retired San Jose police chief and supporter of Proposition 19, said in response to Mr. Holder's letter that efforts to block marijuana use "waste billions of dollars" and are the wrong priority "in the midst of a sagging economic recovery."
Feds To Fight Legal Marijuana Law in California
1:21 The U.S. government will "vigorously enforce" federal laws against marijuana even if voters next month make California the first state to legalize pot, Attorney General Eric Holder says. Video courtesy Fox News.
A poll early this month by SurveyUSA found 48% of likely voters support Proposition 19, with 41% opposed. However, the measure is opposed by California lawmakers of both parties, who are likely to step up their campaign in the final weeks.
The former DEA officials said the Justice Department should take legal action to prevent Proposition 19 from becoming law, much as the department has sued to block Arizona's enforcement of a state law that seeks to crack down on illegal immigration. Mr. Holder, in his letter, shied away from that question, saying only that the Justice Department is "considering all available legal and policy options" if the measure passes.
There are some differences in the Arizona and California cases. According to the federal government's legal position—which Arizona is challenging—the Arizona law required state law enforcement to take action that infringed on federal immigration responsibilities. The California measure, by contrast, would merely result in the state withholding its assistance on federal marijuana drug enforcement.
View Full Image
Associated Press Ed Willey, left, and Sol Posada harvest marijuana at a farm in Davenport, Calif., Tuesday. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the administration would continue to enforce federal laws against marijuana if California passes a ballot initiative legalizing pot in next month's election.
Journal Community
Recent polls indicate voters narrowly favor passing the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act, also known as Proposition 19, in next month's election. If passed, the measure would only affect state law, leaving intact the federal law that classifies marijuana as a controlled substance alongside cocaine and other drugs.
Mr. Holder said in a letter Wednesday to nine former Drug Enforcement Administration chiefs that the administration would continue to enforce federal law if California legalizes marijuana. The DEA chiefs had urged him to speak out on the matter.
The ballot measure would block state police officers from seizing marijuana that complies with state law. That would be a "significant impediment" for federal agents, Mr. Holder wrote, because the federal government typically works with local law enforcement when carrying out marijuana and other drug busts.
Already, California has decriminalized possession of smaller quantities of marijuana deemed to be for personal use. The measure would go further than existing law in California and other states that allow use of the drug for medicinal purposes.
Evan Perez explains why Attorney General Eric Holder is warning California that Federal drug enforcement efforts would be "greatly complicated" if voters in the Golden State next month approve a ballot measure to legalize marijuana.
The Obama administration has largely hewed to the marijuana-enforcement policy of previous administrations. Mr. Holder has said the government won't target medicinal-marijuana operations that comply with state law, but will continue to pursue prosecutions of traffickers.
The Yes on 19 campaign backing the California measure said passage "would kick-start a national conversation about changing our country's obviously failed marijuana prohibition policies."
Joseph McNamara, a retired San Jose police chief and supporter of Proposition 19, said in response to Mr. Holder's letter that efforts to block marijuana use "waste billions of dollars" and are the wrong priority "in the midst of a sagging economic recovery."
Feds To Fight Legal Marijuana Law in California
1:21 The U.S. government will "vigorously enforce" federal laws against marijuana even if voters next month make California the first state to legalize pot, Attorney General Eric Holder says. Video courtesy Fox News.
A poll early this month by SurveyUSA found 48% of likely voters support Proposition 19, with 41% opposed. However, the measure is opposed by California lawmakers of both parties, who are likely to step up their campaign in the final weeks.
The former DEA officials said the Justice Department should take legal action to prevent Proposition 19 from becoming law, much as the department has sued to block Arizona's enforcement of a state law that seeks to crack down on illegal immigration. Mr. Holder, in his letter, shied away from that question, saying only that the Justice Department is "considering all available legal and policy options" if the measure passes.
There are some differences in the Arizona and California cases. According to the federal government's legal position—which Arizona is challenging—the Arizona law required state law enforcement to take action that infringed on federal immigration responsibilities. The California measure, by contrast, would merely result in the state withholding its assistance on federal marijuana drug enforcement.
couchlock907
Active Member
some would say he is contradicting himself?
DankShasta
Active Member
Prop 19 is going to deliver marijuana right into the hands of big business.....NO on 19!!
highasfvck
Well-Known Member
Probably better in the hands of big business than the hands of the DEA. Although neither is ideal, IMO. I doubt Marlboro will start packaging marijuana cigarettes right after Prop 19 passes anyways. There will probably be a slow ripple effect on this, but remember at this time marijuana will still be illegal for recreational use in 49 other states.