Eric Holder: Feds Will Crack Down On Marijuana If Prop. 19 Passes

[Hepburn]

Attorney General Eric Holder has announced that the U.S. government will "vigorously enforce" federal law against marijuana if California voters elect to legalize the drug next month.

...snip...

The letter was released at a press conference Friday morning at the L.A. Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau. Sheriff Lee Baca said that his deputies will work with federal authorities to continue to pursue marijuana violations even if Prop. 19 passes.

District Attorney Steve Cooley, who is running for attorney general, said that if he is elected and Prop. 19 passes, he will likely advise law enforcement agencies that the initiative is unconstitutional.

...snip...

"There is nothing in the United States Constitution that requires the state of California to criminalize anything under state law," said Stephen Gutwillig, the group's California director. "If California decides to legalize marijuana through the passage of Proposition 19, nothing in the Constitution stands in the way."

http://fwix.com/la/share/c541330a9c/eric_holder_feds_will_crack_down_on_marijuana_if_prop_19_passes?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rawstory.com%2F

Why the big deal over this? Government budgets for the War on Drugs and loss of those funds...or something else?

:shrug:

[rurallib]

1. good god - what is wrong with tese people?

I know that alcohol and tobacco are the major opponents of this. Does this mean the Obama admin fears it will lose the alcohol and tobacco money?

[krabigirl]

99. They are corporate whores. Just like the last administration.

[Yavapai]

120. "alcohol and tobacco are the major opponents of this" - Don't forget big pharma!!

They certainly don't want almost free, home grown, medications cutting away at their profits. If they have to compete
with effective medication that helps people suffering from arthritis without the possible damage to the liver and kidneys,
the average patient may overcome the fear from propaganda and actually forgo their very profitable poisons.

How much blood money are they spending to continue the rape of the American people? Also, Obama has already shown that
he is willing to compromise with big pharma while putting together his health-care plan. I am also rather convinced that
the private prison industry also has their say in these matters. Who knows what other special interests have also imprinted
there own perspectives against Prop 19?

[aquamarina]

2. Really ? Is this REALLY the best use of our tax payer dollars?

For cricky sakes.

[Hepburn]

4. I cannot believe this bullshit...

...no COLA for Seniors and the Disabled on SS...but money for the Feddies to bust pot growers and users.

Unreal...:puke:

[coti]

37. FEDERAL dollars and court time! And federal PRISON SPACE!

They're going to waste federal prison space on people caught smoking joints in their homes.

Petty and stupid.

[Unvanguard]

3. This is a confrontation that needs to happen. Pass Prop. 19. n/t

[Hepburn]

5. I totally agree...

...and Calif being in the 9th cir., I can pretty much guess what the outcome will be there and I doubt if the USSC will take cert on the case.

Yeah, let the assholes come after the smokers. What a total waste of money and time. Aren't there some REAL issues out there???

:eyes:

Edit for typo

[Unvanguard]

36. There is not really any legal issue here.

Federal anti-marijuana laws have already been upheld even when they interfere with the public policies of states--see Gonzales v. Raich--and, conversely, California is not required to enforce federal drug laws.

The federal government can enforce as it pleases. We will have to see how much resources it will devote, though, given its general minimal involvement in marijuana law enforcement at the moment.

[ThomThom]

61. minimal enforcement? really? I thought the numbers were up?

[Unvanguard]

67. Don't know if they're up, but last I read, they were a tiny proportion of prosecutions.

State and local law enforcement do by far the lion's share of the enforcement work.

[mdmc]

75. I thought the Feds have been on a tear lately..

Holder is a drug warrior of the worst kind..

[Vincardog]

8. Bingo start by passing prop 19. Then let the bastids fight it

[Greyhound]

49. +

[Gormy Cuss]

50. I agree and I'm a California voter.

I fully expect to have it voided for one reason or another but having the majority voting in favor of it is a statement worth making.

[mdmc]

54. yes

BRING IT ON CALIFORNIA

[mdmc]

56. BRING IT!

[mdmc]

76. Bring it FEDS!

[krabigirl]

98. I agree.

[mike_c]

118. absolutely agree....

YES on Proposition 19!

                        Eric Holder

[ck4829]

6. God forbid you actually investigate the weird items in the Siegelman case or anything.

[Hepburn]

10. Amen....n/t

[vanboggie]

110. Right! Nor charge Chimp 'n Cheney with war crimes

Nor investigate election fraud, yada yada. Crimes are overlooked for some people, even when there is proof positive.

:banghead:

[polichick]

7. More assholery! nt

[Lint Head]

9. We are corporately owned and Holder is their tool.

Bush would be in jail if we had a real attorney general.

[Hepburn]

11. Another Amen...n/t

[glitch]

112. "Bush would be in jail if we had a real attorney general." nt

[kenny blankenship]

12. Because people weren't sure whether you were really a dick or not, and you just wanted to clarify?

[Hepburn]

13. I would assume by Holder's statement that he will enforce Feddie pot laws...

...that he again has proven that, yes indeed, he is a DICK!

:hi:

[spanone]

14. piss off eric, the people are speaking

[frylock]

15. all this change is making my head spin!

[Hepburn]

16. See...see....

...Holder and the Admin is right: You don't NEED grass to make you feel loaded!

:evilgrin:

[Dawson Leery]

17. As stated before, and I will state again

being in law 'enforcement' is being a prostitute for the powerful, which is why I have never respected or have had much respect for the line of work.

[Hepburn]

20. Yep...

...know how to tell is a prosecutor is lying?

His/her lips are moving. Talk about assholes...gads, I dislike them!

[Dawson Leery]

23. In most cases this is true.

Very of them are honest.

[Hepburn]

25. Power trips....most of the time.

They represent the state and therefore, their own shit does not smell.

[tridim]

18. Holder, this will be your last mistake as AG.

Californians will make sure of that.

Just watch what happens when the feds start arresting LEGAL users in CA.

[Hepburn]

24. That's what I want to see, too.

Can you imagine the federal magistrates/judges that get these cases? The word "dismissed" is going to be ordered on a ton of rubber stamps for the Cal Feddie Bench, IMO.

[Swamp Rat]

19. If this happens, I will hold President Obama responsible in 2012.

eom

[jgraz]

21. Fuck you, Eric.

Someone needs to crack down on his worthless ass. How 'bout we start with Dereliction of Duty?

[Dr.Phool]

22. Hey Holder, you asshole! Have you ever heard of Wall Street?

You know, places where real crimes are committed?

[Hepburn]

27. Another Amen...n/t

[frylock]

26. Obama Administration to Stop Raids on Medical Marijuana Dispensers

i've had with these lying-ass motherlickers.

In the Bush administration, federal agents raided medical marijuana distributors that violated federal statutes even if the dispensaries appeared to be complying with state laws. The raids produced a flood of complaints, particularly in California, which in 1996 became the first state to legalize marijuana sales to people with doctors’ prescriptions.

Graham Boyd, the director of the American Civil Liberties Union drug law project, said Mr. Holder’s remarks created a reasonable balance between conflicting state and federal laws and “seem to finally end the policy war over medical marijuana.” He said officials in California and the 12 other states that have authorized the use of medical marijuana had hesitated to adopt regulations to carry out their laws because of uncertainty created by the Bush administration.

Mr. Holder said the new approach was consistent with statements made by President Obama in the campaign and was based on an assessment of how to allocate scarce enforcement resources. He said dispensaries operating in accord with California law would not be a priority for the administration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/us/19holder.html

[Hepburn]

29. They are allowing local governments to shut them down.

This is what is going on in Calif right now. A lot of it in Orange County ~~ quelle surprise...NOT!

[Irishonly]

93. Not Just Orange County

All over southern CA, dispensaries are being closed and owners and some patients are charged with trumped up felony charges. If you are charged with a federal crime you cannot use a medical defense. Patients in the IE are being arrested and held for 72 hours before they are released. Cooley and the witch in San Diego county lied to voters about medical cannabis to get elected. San Bernardino County has a marijuana eradication squad and the list goes on. It's not safe going to a dispensary in certain cities. Upland, Ca has cut services to citizens but is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight dispensaries in their good, conservative city-they just forget to mention the FBI is very interested in the goings on in City Hall. It takes a lot to get this Suzy Sunshine cynical but that's what I am. I have seen too many people hurt bu Holder's so-called leaving medical patients alone.

[Romulox]

The promise not to raid med. mar. facilities has been broken several times over, already. nt

[Romulox]

55. The promise not to raid med. mar. facilities has been broken several times over, already. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

28. I'm sorry, but this is disgusting.

More change we can't believe in.

[villager]

30. Time to remind everyone of the find American tradition of "jury nullification!"

not that they want citizens to know, or anything...

[krabigirl]

104. :)

[villager]

31. Time to remind everyone of the fine American tradition of "jury nullification!"

not that they want citizens to know, or anything...

[coti]

32. LOL- they're going to fill up the FEDERAL courts with marijuana cases.

And send marijuana users to FEDERAL prison. Brilliant.

[Hepburn]

34. So much easier than going after REAL criminals...

...just think how they will boost the stats on their conviction rates!

:hi:

[coti]

41. Yup- get those US Attorneys sniffing out the tokers!

Who cares about corruption, kidnapping, murder, and the usual issues on which they NEED to be spending their time.

[Hepburn]

43. Well, yeah....

...build more prison for those who toke! Keep Merika safe!

[tridim]

58. Maybe that's the key to federal legalization? Looking for a silver lining.

[Ian David]

33. Eric Holder's a real buzzkill, man. n/t

[NMMNG]

35. Gee, what happened to "state's rights"

Or does that only apply to oppressing gay people?:

[Hepburn]

38. That ONLY applies to curtailing women's reproductive rights. n/t

[backscatter712]

88. And dealing with brown people! n/t

[Milo_Bloom]

39. Won't happen.

They are trying to scare people into voting no.

Nobody wants this showdown, especially Obama, who would put California into play in 2012 if they go to war with California over this.

[Hepburn]

46. Why would that scare a voter into voting "no?"

IMO, it might send people to the polls to vote "yes" and thus raise a middle finger to the Feddies?

[Milo_Bloom]

60. I should have said, "Discourage" more than vote no.

They want to make it seem like a futile effort.

They are likely also trying to make people believe voting YES is unconstitutional. Obey the law.. vote no seems to be the underlying theme of what they are saying.

[krabigirl]

101. I totally agree.

[fascisthunter]

40. Stupid

[budkin]

42. They won't prosecute Bush and Cheney for War Crimes but pot smokers are fucked

Fuck these assholes.

[brewens]

44. Imagine the inbred half-wit redneck types that alway blamed

everything that was wrong with the country on the god damned hippies in the 60's? Now they're Teabaggers and their worst nightmare is happening. Pot will be legalized and the hippies smear steaming piles of shit right in their faces over it!
Their only salvation will be for the Obama administration to stomp all over California states rights. what the hell are they going to do?

[atreides1]

45. And yet

The prosecution of War Crimes, where admissions were made, they can't seem to accomplish!!

This should be an easy one for the Republicans, aren't they the party that keeps harping about the 10th Amendment and States Rights?

[Maat]

47. The Feds don't have enough resources to control everyone in Cal -

good luck, Mr. Holder. Your attitude will not be helpful in terms of your future political prospects.

Meanwhile, excuse me while I go out and vote 'Yes' on Prop. 19!

[BootinUp]

74. CA is going to lose, for now.

If it passes, there will be pressure applied that will cause the State Government to nullify the thing. But, in the future this whole episode will result in the eventual legalization of marijuana.

(I saw this on an episode of the Dead Zone, Johnny Smith is never wrong.)

[iscooterliberally]

48. I hope Prop 19 passes.

Then I hope that Eric Holder gets what the British like to call....SACKED! :smoke:

[Kat45]

51. I thought this administration wasn't bothering with going after marijuana users

Why the sudden switch to "vigorously" go after it now? :wtf:

[tridim]

64. The first issue was MMJ users, this is recreational users.

The federal drug scheduling is fucking everything up, because it is simply wrong. It needs to be revisited and revised NOW.

[glitch]

113. Not so sudden - they broke that campaign promise awhile ago.

Now they're just doubling down on it.

[mdmc]

52. Meet the new boss..

I hope to God that the GOP (not the Tea Party, the Grand Ole Party) comes out for legalization and taxation. It would serve the DLC to get the shiite kicked out of it for being drug warriors..

[Odin2005]

53. FUCK YOU, Holder!

[AtomicKitten]

62. I concur.

Nobody f*cks with my medical marijuana. Here in SF, it is delivered to my door. If Prop 19 passes, it will be cheaper and cut down on the freakshow going on at the border. Like that's a bad thing.

[Ignis]

78. You nailed it.

Prop 19 might actually make it safe to visit Mexico again outside the tourist compounds.

That alone makes it worth passing.

[Romulox]

57. If the War on (people who use) Drugs is your #1 issue, there is ZERO distinction between the parties

ZERO

[ThomThom]

59. Why do they have to be such assholes?

Why can't they look at the facts and make a reasonable decision. End this and all wars now.

[tridim]

63. It's because of the federal drug schedules.

Which IMO is what Holder should be focused on fixing, instead of threatening California voters.

[TexasObserver]

65. If he does, the president will not carry California again.

And without it, he can't win a second term.

Holder was a lousy choice for AG, and until the president replaces him, Justice will remain a mess.

[krabigirl]

105. If he does, this California voter won't vote for him next time.

[laurel46]

66. Weed Baggers unite!

Didn't the Obama administration have trouble with the last libertarians? Now we need to show what a libertarian is, a civil libertarian and denounce the drug war. I personally will not vote for Obama in 2012 if he endorses the feds going against the will of the people and harassing weed smokers.

JURY NULLIFICATION on all religious laws, especially the drug war laws.

[krabigirl]

103. +1000

[treestar]

68. They always say they are going to vigorously enforce any law

they have to, even when they don't, like immigration laws.

He's just saying that federal law is still federal law. It will have to battle out in the courts. They would not just suspend enforcement of federal law that is still standing,

[tridim]

69. Then suspend the Federal law..

By removing Cannabis from the federal drug schedules, or moving it along side alcohol.

Holder is the guy that gets that ball rolling.

[treestar]

82. Can they do that without an Act of Congress?

Otherwise there is nothing to see here. Though interesting that a state has decriminalized it.

[Romulox]

84. Yes. Drugs are not "scheduled" by an act of Congress

http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/1-csa.htm

[laughingliberal]

94. Horsefeathers! He can say it doesn't change federal law without going all Dirty Harry about it. nt

[Lorien]

108. Except for those laws that would put BushCo behind bars

among others.

[Dragonfli]

119. Federal law is federal law, unless you commit war crimes, then it's look the other way.

[BootinUp]

70. So people are really surprised at this?

:rofl:

[tridim]

71. I'm only surprised that he said it BEFORE the vote.

That is out of character.

After the vote, it's his job to say it. As shitty as that is.

[laughingliberal]

95. Nothing surprises me anymore. nt

[ecstatic]

72. What if a state had a vote that banned abortion?

I would hope the fed. government would step in and protect women. I think all drugs should be legalized, but this is just something to consider. I cringe at the the thought of every state being able to break the laws they choose.

[Luminous Animal]

81. Abortion has been deemed a right under the Constitution. See: Roe v Wade.

[PeaceNikki]

85. Well, first and foremost, it needs to come off of Schedule I.

Like now.

[laughingliberal]

96. +1000 nt

[Romulox]

86. Your analogy breaks down on several levels.

In the first place, the Federal Government imprisoning people for conduct that citizens of the State of California have democratically voted to approve is in no way analogous to a State imprisoning people for the exercise of a Constitutional right. In the second place, there is no requirement that States enforce Federal law. Finally, the basis of Federal jurisdiction over marijuana is the Interstate Commerce Clause. If you "cringe" about legal principles, you might consider how someone using drugs in California that were produced in California (perhaps even grown one's self) touches "interstate commerce". And spare me the tired recitation of the case law; it's logically tortured justification--nothing more. So cringe at that.

[krabigirl]

100. I am fine with state's rights on many issues. I am pro-choice, though.

[Vinca]

73. If Holder proceeds with his threat, it will be a huge waste of time and money.

What's the matter with him? Is he afraid he didn't piss enough people off appealing DADT?

[glitch]

114. Not to privatized enforcement/incarceration corporations.

They'll lap it up.

[Ignis]

77. "QUICK! There's a small portion of the base we haven't yet alienated!"

:banghead:

[krabigirl]

102. + 5 million

[PeaceNikki]

79. This is the bullshit justification:

The attorney general also said that legalizing recreational marijuana in California would be a "significant impediment" to the government's joint efforts with state and local law enforcement to target drug traffickers, who often distribute marijuana alongside cocaine and other drugs.

From http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130587715

Is it trafficking if it's locally produced? Is there as big of a risk of it being distributed with cocaine and "other drugs" if it's sold in licensed shops that are regulated and monitored for things like this and selling to minors?

[mmonk]

80. The money game is the big deal.

[Xicano]

83. In other words what Eric Holder is actually saying is: "fuck democracy"

Is there any mistake that "We the People" have lost our country?

*sigh*

[wildbilln864]

87. And they'll still

manufacture and distribute federal marijuana to 5 lucky Americans on a regular basis til they die! WTF!! :crazy:

[Occulus]

89. Could that be a basis of attacking this?

If they're still continuing that program, perhaps we should be asking why certain people are exempt from federal law, but not others.

[laughingliberal]

97. Interesting. Perhaps it could be an 'equal protection' issue. nt

[Hawkeye-X]

90. Holder, please hand your resignation effective immediately

and go private and go fuck up your career some more.

What I'd like to see the FDA finally remove the Schedule II off marijuana and put it in the same category as alcohol and cigarettes and tax 'em accordingly.

Budget problems solved. People will be happy to pay a very progressive tax on MMJ as long as the tax is used to educate, improve and acknowledge the wonderful herb (refuse to call it a drug, because it's not). Tax should also pay for education, environment, narrowing the budget gap, etc.

US should have done this a long ago, and the tax on MMJ alone could easily fund 100% on single payer care too, and have left over for 20+ years rainy day fund.

Hawkeye-X

[bullwinkle428]

91. Suddenly...one day later, the Obama administration becomes all-powerful!

Yesterday, they didn't have the legal strength to fight their way out of a wet paper sack!

[TheKentuckian]

92. maybe more than a dime but not worth a quarter

[glinda]

106. Prop 19 is a perfect example of another "initiative" set to tear Dems apart.

Reminds me actually of the whole thing with Gay Marriage. Pops up to get people either out to vote or upset or divisive.
Personally I think there should be nothing on the ballots during election time but elections and that other issues be settled at another time separately. This is all too political now and manipulated and sucks as far as I am concerned.

[MadHound]

107. Damn, this administration is pissing off more and more people,

Who would normally be voting for them. Teachers, gays, dope smokers, anti-war folks, really now, it's gotten to the point of wondering whether they're deliberately trying to throw the elections.

[Lorien]

109. Of course they are

if they get a GOP House and Senate then they'll be "forced" to pass all the anti progressive, pro-corporate legislation they want to and blame it both on the repugs and their base (for not turning out). Want to piss them off? Vote even MORE Dems into office!

[glitch]

115. "Want to piss them off? Vote even MORE Dems into office!"

Bears repeating. :evilgrin:

[krabigirl]

117. They have squandered the years of having the time to pass stuff.

It is a joke.

[Ramulux]

111. Its gotten to the point

where I literally no longer know who it is they think will be voting for them. Its like they are systematically attempting to piss off every single demographic that would normally vote for them.

[glitch]

116. I've never seen anything like it. I think they're trying to sandbag Pelosi.

I intend to fight that by voting and encouraging my friends to vote. No enthusiasm gap here, more like fucking livid.

Again, or should I say, Still.