Holder has Championed Tougher Marijuana Laws

[Truth2Tell]

This was in 1996. It would be interesting to know his views today.

...U.S. Attorney Eric H. Holder Jr. said in an interview that he is considering not only prosecuting more marijuana cases but also asking the D.C. Council to enact stiffer penalties for the sale and use of marijuana.

"We have too long taken the view that what we would term to be minor crimes are not important," Holder said, referring to current attitudes toward marijuana use and other offenses such as panhandling.

<snip>

"If you take these so-called minor crimes seriously and treat them fully, it has a ripple effect," Holder said.

Holder's plans for stricter enforcement of marijuana laws, and his proposal to increase the penalties for trafficking in marijuana, come at the same time that Montgomery County State's Attorney Andrew L. Sonner (D) has announced plans to treat more leniently low-level drug dealers and those found in possession of small amounts of drugs. Under Sonner's plan, those people would be directed into treatment programs rather than sent to prison.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/drugs/mjtrafic.htm

[msongs]

1. center-right or just plain ol right winger ? nt

[Bacchus39]

2. we really don't need that. hopefully this was just a stage he went through

during the Clinton years.

[H2O Man]

3. That isn't good.

Rigid, self-righteous thinking is rather unattractive. Hopefully, he has progressed in the last 18 years.

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Strike three. FUCK this clown.

He's beyond DLC. He's straight up fascist.

[Upton]

5. That figures

between Holder and Lieberman, many of us are getting a rude awakening.

[cbc5g]

6. I'll be very disappointed if he is picked

Don't do it Obama

[fascisthunter]

7. lol... wow

fuck

[mtnsnake]

8. Marijuana would be universally legal if it weren't for the crooked pharmaceutical companies

in this country. It's the huge drug companies who are keeping pot from being legalized because it would put half of them out of business. Pot has more medical benefits than at least half of their drugs put together. In fact there are numerous diseases that marijuana helps where no other drugs can. It's all about the big drug companies losing tons of money if people started getting healed by cheap marijuana.

Plus it should be legalized for all the other reasons, too. Fuck Holder if he thinks like that.

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. Biden, Rahm and Holder have terrible records on Medical Marijuana laws.

They may change their tune
But I won't bet my stash on it.


Biden, Rahm and Holder have terrible records on Marijuana laws.


Biden record;
http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/that_queasy_feeling


Rahm:

“We are going to continue to find ways within the administration to fight legalization and the notion of legalization,” a key Clinton drug policy adviser said in defense of this unconstitutional policy, which ultimately was overturned by a federal appeals court. “We’re against the message that sends to children.”

Who was this zealous drug warrior, eager to forcibly suppress “the notion of legalization” in the name of protecting children? Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff.




http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Rahm_Emanuel_Drugs.htm

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. That being said Obama has a good view on Medical Marijuana

Sen. Obama has publicly promised to end the federal raids on state medical marijuana patients and their caregivers. Sen. Obama also voted against an amendment in the U.S. Senate that was intended to undermine state medical marijuana laws.

What Sen. Obama Has Done:
On April 19, 2007, Sen. Obama voted against the Coburn amendment, which, if enacted, could put medical marijuana patients and caregivers at even greater risk than they already face and could be used by opponents to attempt to shut down state medical marijuana programs across the country.

What Sen. Obama Has Said:
During a town hall meeting in Laconia, New Hampshire, on June 2, 2007, Sen. Obama was asked if he would continue the federal raids on medical marijuana patients and their caregivers. Sen. Obama responded: "I don't think that should be a top priority of us, raiding people who are using ... medical marijuana. With all the things we've got to worry about, and our Justice Department should be doing, that probably shouldn't be a high priority."

On July 21, 2007 at a town hall meeting in Manchester, New Hampshire, a GSMM staffer asked Sen. Obama if he would end the raids. Sen. Obama replied: "The Justice Department going after sick individuals using this as a palliative instead of going after serious criminals makes no sense."

Less then a month later, on August 13, while at a town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, he was asked by GSMM staffers if he agreed with the 81% of New Hampshire Democrats who believe that the federal government should end the raids on medical marijuana patients and caregivers. Sen. Obama responded: "You know, it's really not a good use of Justice Department resources."

On August 21, during a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire, Sen. Obama was asked by GSMM volunteer and seriously ill Nashua resident Scott Turner if he would end the federal raids on medical marijuana patients like him. Sen. Obama replied: "I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It's not a good use of our resources."

[cbc5g]

16. Fuck, 3 positions already filled with anti-marijuana creeps ...biden, emanuel and holder

not progressive

[Ichingcarpenter]

20. The Feds have closed down clinics in Santa Barbara now

Plus all the ones south and north of me.

In addition to the clinics they have shut down state licensed marijuana growers
all around plus illegal growers. The Mexican drug cartel is now
coming in to fill the gap.

[slay]

11. This is very troubling to me as I can not drink alcohol and enjoy smoking marijuana socially

Everyone knows the marijuana laws are bullshit. In times like these when hard drugs like crystal meth and heroin inflict major harm on people's lives, it is not only foolish, but a distraction - a cruel one at that - to punish those who like to smoke some weed. Is pot smoking really that big a problem - and if so, I'd like to see the evidence because most of the pot smokers I know are caring laid back people who are very responsible and cause virtually no problems at all - a statement that can not even be said about alcohol! Unfuckingbelievable. :( :( :(

[Jim Sagle]

12. I hope he's changed.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[stillcool]

14. In 12 years maybe he's changed his mind?

We just passed an initiative to reduce marijuana sentences. I hope other states do the same.

[rucky]

15. The DEA hates competition. n/t

[OwnedByFerrets]

17. Yeah, lets see how good he is with REAL criminals.....

war criminals.

[Colobo]

18. Why should I care about marijuana laws?

[cbc5g]

19. Why should I care about gay rights if i'm not gay?

Same question as yours...

[Ichingcarpenter]

21. Why should I care about your pain?

your suffering, your troubles?

[Binka]

24. You Shouldn't Luka

Dude has some issues, obviously. Don't take the time to consider them. He isn't open to considering others needs.

[Ichingcarpenter]

29. Luka, well I live upstairs from you on the second floor

Yes I think I'm okay
I walked into the door again

Well, if you ask that's what I'll say
And it's not your business anyway

I guess I'd like to be alone
With nothing broken, nothing thrown

[Binka]

22. Oh Dude What A Narrow Minded View

Plonk.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

23. Wow

Dave Chappelle will be no friend of Mr. Holder.

[toshiba783]

25. GRrrr

This is the first thing I've read about his cabinet that's really bothered me. How much power is this guy going to have to enforce these views?? Hopefully Obama holds strong on his belief that marijuana should be decriminalized, that was one of the reason I supported him... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr9ezr8UeA

Has Obama expressed his views on Marijuana(other than medical) recently?

Also, I didn't even know medical marijuana users were being raided and prosecuted - what the fuck?
How are these people getting prescriptions for marijuana for medical uses if it's not legal?

[ClarkUSA]

26. Oh oh... he lost Bill Maher's endorsement right there.

;)

[meow mix]

27. =(

this is not good =(

[MagickMuffin]

28. I guess Cannabis users get to join the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" club

Considering how much money is made by keeping Cannabis illegal, looks as though progress takes another step backwards.

Obama has stated that he thought the Feds should stop raiding Medical Marijuana shops. Hopefully that is still his agenda.






edit to add pic :-)