A Victory in Oregon--Medical Marijuana Has Some Political Muscle

[Comrade Grumpy]

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2012/may/16/medical_marijuana_ally_wins_oreg

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.

Holden was supported by law enforcement. Rosenblum had the medical marijuana people and some campaign cash from national drug reformers.

Here's the press release from a mighty pleased Drug Policy Alliance:

Drug Policy Action
For Immediate Release: May 15, 2012

Support for Medical Marijuana Ensures Victory for Ellen Rosenblum in Oregon Attorney General Race

Drug Policy Action: Holton’s Defeat Sends Message to US Attorneys Nationwide That Attacks on Medical Marijuana Have Steep Political Price

Outcome Has National Implications for Increasingly Formidable Drug Policy Reform Movement

Medical marijuana was a major issue in the Democratic primary for Attorney General in Oregon – and the candidates’ starkly different positions on the issue ensured victory for former judge Ellen Rosenblum. Rosenblum is supportive of patients’ rights to safe and legal access to medical marijuana while her opponent, former Interim U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton, is sharply critical of the program. 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.

Drug Policy Action, the political arm of the Drug Policy Alliance, and a driving force behind the initiative that first legalized medical marijuana in Oregon in 1998, threw its support behind the Rosenblum campaign, with $100,000 in total donations to the campaign and to an Oregon group, Citizens for Sensible Law Enforcement, during the final stretch of the campaign. John Sperling, an ally of Drug Policy Action who provided major support for the 1998 initiative, also contributed a total of $100,000 to Rosenblum and CSLE.
Jill Harris, Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for Drug Policy Action, and a native of Eugene, OR, issued the following statement:

“Dwight Holton’s defeat in the Oregon Attorney General’s race should be taken as a clear and unambiguous message to U.S. Attorneys around the country and to the national Democratic leadership that attacking state-approved medical marijuana programs is not a smart political move. Medical marijuana has overwhelming public support – it is now legal in 16 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and national polls have consistently shown support in the 70-80% range for well over a decade. Drug war rhetoric and tactics will not be tolerated, and organizations like Drug Policy Action will be there to defend patients’ rights to safely access the medicine they need.”

[msongs]

1. "law enforcement" won't give up the $$ cash cow for busting pot smokers - police welfare nt

[Meiko]

6. I am afraid to

say you are correct. This WOD means money which translates directly to power. The police are not going to tolerate the de funding of their special tactics teams and the outlay for new weapons and toys. The DEA is a very powerful monster with it's fingers in everything, they are basically standing army. Very dangerous.

I was born in Oregon and what's left of my family still lives there. It's good to see they are moving in the right direction.

[HuckleB]

2. She won for many other reasons, but this was not that big of an issue in the campaign.

I voted for her, but I, like most people, didn't focus on medical marijuana.

Now, if the issue was legal marijuana, period. Then, my vote might have been more considered, in terms of the issue. (I'd vote for the candidate that is pro-legalization.)

Sorry, but you're pushing a false argument here. I know you don't want to hear that, but even most pro-legalization folks wouldn't push that argument face to face.

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. Well, the drug reformers accounted for 25% of her campaign war chest...

...according to KVAL-TV: http://www.kval.com/politics/Holton-takes-issue-with-Rosenblum-campaign-money-151469165.html

And interested parties can do a Google search for "Rosenblum Holden medical marijuana" and see what they come up with.

Granted, it wasn't the only issue in the campaign, but this looks like a case where being against medical marijuana paid a political price.

[RainDog]

9. wow!

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.

Heads up, Democrats.

[HuckleB]

14. It was a one minute issue at best.

A very tiny, one percent aside.

It's bizarre how this type of propaganda gets pushed, even at DU, where trying to live in reality should be the focus. I live here. I know the campaign. The debates. Everything that was present, and this was not present.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. I live here too. I and the local press disagree with you...

The story in the Register Guard this morning says :
"A retired state appeals court judge supported by marijuana advocates defeated a former federal prosecutor Tuesday in a Democratic primary race for attorney general that focused on Oregon’s medical marijuana law."

So that is the term they use 'focused on Oregon's medical marijuana law'. I suggest you dash off a tartly worded note to correct them at once!

[HuckleB]

29. So some young reporter whose focus is on his or her own obsession is all you need.

Why not be honest, instead of pushing selective BS?

Seriously, this is just crap.

Not only that, but the reporter, as well as the OP ignore that she was ahead all along, and that the MM money came in late.

This is a very bad job of pushing propaganda.

[Bluenorthwest]

44. Like it or not that's an AP story fronm the second largest daily in Oregon

It is the Newspaper of Record. Circulation around 70,000 and the Editor's endorsement was for the OTHER candidate. To claim that by quoting THE newspaper here in Lane County, not the alt press, the mainstream, what your Auntie reads paper, I am pushing selective bs is astonishingly foolish.
Be honest, you say? Do you know the age of this reporter? No. Do you know the reporter's other work? Nope. Down thread, you ask me who wrote this. The byline is at the link provided. AP story from the leading paper in the county.
You really should offer an apology. Your claims about the reporter are simply made up steaming horseshit and in fact, a crappy thing to say with no basis in fact about an actual person. And you are making that up. While saying 'be honest'.

[HuckleB]

30. Nice logical fallacy of a response.

It's funny that you ignore the reality that she was ahead all along. The MM money came late, for no real good reason, and now the MM crowd wants to push bizarre propaganda about the campaign.

I mean, seriously. Stop playing games. Show some honesty, please.

[RainDog]

5. well, it's the Drug Policy Alliance making the claim

so, at least one of the largest national legalization orgs actually is making the claim.

however, I'm sure that this issue wasn't the issue for everyone, as you note - but it obviously did not hurt her at the polls.

[HuckleB]

12. Which makes the claim much less viable.

[Bluenorthwest]

16. And what is it that makes your claim viable?

I see no stats, no links, just declarations of what 'most people' did and those declarations do not match up with what I experienced in the last few weeks of this election at all. While of course it was not the only issue, it was the leading area of discussion with each and every Democratic voter I know in the 4th District.

[HuckleB]

31. What would stats or links show?

You know the reality, if you live here, and are honest.

The campaign had very little to do with MM. MM money didn't come until May. She was already going to win.

You know it, I know it, everyone in Oregon knows it.

No one who has discussed the pros and cons of these candidates at many, many functions worried about this as a reason to go for one or the other.

This obsession is just dishonest to the core.

[RainDog]

39. you deny what every other source says

because you "just know."

while others who live there and others who actually worked on this campaign state differently.

but if anyone else has information, it's just dishonest?

I think you have a bias and your inability to acknowledge other sources of information proves this.

[RainDog]

49. here ya go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=695691

those who know about the campaign beg to differ with your spin.

[RainDog]

24. remember what you said when Democrats make a claim

since you have decided that anyone who has an interest in certain action isn't credible. Of course, considering the way the situation played out here - such knee-jerk rejection seems silly to me, but whatever.

[HuckleB]

32. Thanks for pretending to respond.

Good God.

[RainDog]

41. Why do you think Pelosi came out against the DoJ's raids in CA?

Why do you think that two Republicans and one Democrat in the House that represent the state of CA, along with one Democratic Rep. from NY, included language in a bill that would forbid the federal govt from using funds for the DoJ to go after medical marijuana?

Why do you think that four governors have called for the federal govt to reschedule marijuana so that dispensaries can conduct business?

Why do you think 42 members of the Washington State legislature called for the DEA to reschedule cannabis at the beginning of this year?

It's an election year.

This issue matters and politicians are making noises or taking action to indicate to voters their positions on this issue.

But you just go ahead and ignore reality and pretend this issue doesn't matter to anyone.

[HuckleB]

33. And another logical fallacy (actually two in one sentence, it appears) is offered up.

Grow up.

[Warren DeMontague]

46. Right. Sort of like that crazy group who called Marijuana the "defining issue" of the campaign.

Ah, Who were they, again? Oh, yeah... the Dwight Holton campaign.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/marijuana_measure_11_emerge_as.html

Holton's camp has jumped on the marijuana issue, saying the policy gulf between the two candidates has become the "defining issue" of the campaign.

[RainDog]

47. So, the Horton campaign ITSELF said medical marijuana was the defining issue of the campaign?

Horton, the candidate who lost, made it HIS defining issue, according to his camp.

He ran against mmj and he lost

- and that statement, that marijuana was the defining issue in the campaign, came from his own supporters, not a reporter, not the Drug Policy Alliance...

Oh, and here's a direct quote from him: "I don't think it makes sense to pander to the marijuana legalization crowd." (also from the Oregonian online.)

oops.

What this entire issue comes down to, however, is the reality that cannabis needs to be rescheduled at the federal level. That would remove this as an issue for any State Attn. General. This can be done by the legislative or the executive branch calling upon the DEA to stop lying.

And it needs to happen because of EVERY state, not just Oregon.

[Warren DeMontague]

52. No, no, no no, since he lost it was a total non-issue. As the Oregonian put it, a "distraction".

Egads. But you know, like I said, in the alternate universe where he won, they're off pah-rumping about how this "definitively shows Oregonians are sick and tired of out of control marijuana silliness, and ready to crack down" or some such shit.

[HuckleB]

13. Sorry, but, no.

Few voters discussed this as a reason for voting for her.

Please stop pretending, just because it serves some supposed interest. This is pure propaganda. And it's not helpful.

[HuckleB]

34. Some PR guy is pushing this?

Funny that no one gave a crap about it during the campaign. No one talked about it at Democratic functions. At parties, etc.... Hello!? Stop the BS! It does not help the cause.

[RainDog]

42. It's fascinating to read your denial here n/t

[RainDog]

48. oh, and look at this -

from your link - to an article written by a reporter who is obviously no cub.

Holton enjoyed the avid support of Oregon’s law enforcement community as well as a fundraising advantage. In a typical election for attorney general, that would have been a hard combination to beat.

“Dwight got painted as a conservative and Ellen a liberal,” said Jack Roberts, former Oregon Labor Commissioner. “I don’t think those labels were entirely fair to either candidate. But Ellen was able to take advantage.”

Halfway through the race, Holton seemed to have all the momentum.

The race took a surprising turn in April after the pro-marijuana legalization camp threw its support to Rosenblum.

Holton was also a Clinton-era Democrat and most of his money came from D.C. insiders. So, not only did the pro-cannabis candidate win, the FEDERALLY-FUNDED candidate lost.

pretty interesting stuff.

[fascisthunter]

27. how do we know it isn't you who is spreading propaganda...

... for a supposed interest?

[Warren DeMontague]

28. mmmm

[HuckleB]

37. Ah, so personal attacks and logical fallacy is your thing?

Or do you have anything to offer besides this crap?

Do you stand up for what is right? Or just for your personal obsessions?

[Warren DeMontague]

38. I dont know, I could just rack up a whole bunch of sort of vacuous posts in a thread on the topic.

But, then, I'm not sure what I could possibly gain from such an endeavour.

[HuckleB]

36. Nice personal attack, and logical fallacy in one swift swipe.

Pitiful.

[Warren DeMontague]

40. So if you write several posts about "logical fallacies", does that count as one?

Or several?

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Here it was THE issue. What it boiled down to was Holton flipping the bird to the

clear will of the voters of this State, who made the law he wants to destroy. The medical marijuana issue was key to her victory and the reason for his defeat.
http://www.registerguard.com/web/news/28079088-57/marijuana-oregon-percent-rosenblum-state.html.csp

[RainDog]

3. k&r n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

7. YES!!!!!!!!!

Fuckin A. I was sure Holton would in, which would have put me in a bind as a party line dem. voter... And the fucking oregonian, which has been on a weird pro drug war tear for endless, now, was stumping stumping stumping for the guy...

They must have caught a whiff of how the winds were blowing, because in recent weeks they tried to spin shit about "the two candidates positions in med. marijuana blah blah blah not that different harumph harumph"

Do not let ANYONE tell you this was about anything other than ending the imbecilic drug war and the stupid obsession with hassling cancer grannies and everyone else who smokes pot. It WAS.

[RainDog]

10. What's interesting is that Holton was punished

because he was involved in the recent federal crack downs.

[Warren DeMontague]

11. Its only interesting -or maybe surprising- to people who aren't paying attention.

The American People are sick of the stupid drug war. The only people who still believe in it are the ones riding the attendant gravy train.

Phil Knight gave Rosenblum a whole stack of money right after Holton made his goofy "lets bust some cancer grannies" comments. People are sick of it, and why shouldn't they be? Most of America smoked some pot at some time in the past 50 years, and we're still fine. Including the current and previous 2 residents of the White House. So why the fuck should it still be illegal?

There is NO reason.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. Here is the opening paragraph on the outcome from the Register Guard Eugene...

"A retired state appeals court judge supported by marijuana advocates defeated a former federal prosecutor Tuesday in a Democratic primary race for attorney general that focused on Oregon’s medical marijuana law."
The paper had endorsed Holton....

[HuckleB]

35. Who wrote that?

Some young reporter who focused on his or her interests.

The press sucks. Or did you miss that somehow?

BTW, you do realize that she was ahead all along, and that the MM money didn't come in until May, and now that's the big issue in the campaign?

Nope.

[Bluenorthwest]

43. The by line is at the link. 'By Jonathan Cooper The Associated Press'

The Register Guard is the Newspaper of record in Lane County. Second largest circulation in Oregon. They have editors and everything.
Making an argument that it was a non issue when everyone else and the local press all says it was is not working for you. So you are grabbing at random fantasias about cub reporters single without supervision making front page stories for a paper with a daily circulation of around 70,000. I don't like the paper. Still it is not run by agenda driven kids. The paper endorsed Holton, for example.
Perhaps to you or even to you and those you know it was not much of an issue. Many others do not agree with you.

[RainDog]

45. LOLOL!!!! n/t

[randome]

18. So what was Holton's reasoning for opposing the existing medical marijuana laws?

And what ARE the existing laws in Oregon? Anyone know? I'm curious.

[Bluenorthwest]

20. Here's a link to the handbook from the State on the law....

http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/ChronicDisease/MedicalMarijuanaProgram/Pages/OMMPHandbook.aspx

[Comrade Grumpy]

22. "Abuses" of the program.

Not surprisingly, there's been some leakage into the black market.

He offered to work with hostile Republican legislators to "fix" the program, but Oregon voters apparently decided it ain't broke.

[RainDog]

50. He was the federal govt's candidate

and he lost because of it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=695691

[Egalitarian Thug]

26. K&R for a modicum of sanity. n/t