Pompo

Grassley Calls Administration's New Policy On Medical Marijuana 'Counterproductive'
3/20/09|Gant Daily| by Kris Alingod - AHN Contributor



Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the ranking Republican in the Senate Finance Committee, on Thursday criticized Atty. Gen. Eric Holder's decision to stop targeting distributors of medical marijuana, which is legally sold in several states but illegal under federal law.

Speaking about healthcare reform in a forum organized by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Families USA and the National Federation of Independent Business, Grassley called the Justice Department's change in policy "counterproductive."

"If you see the high cost of medicine that comes from drug abuse... not enforcing the marijuana law is a gateway to other hard drugs," the Republican added. "The first rule of medicine, 'first do no harm,' is being violated by this attorney general with his decision."

Holder on Wednesday announced that federal agents would stop raids on medical marijuana dispensers who do not violate state laws. The Bush administration had frequent raided such dispensers, most notably in California, because federal law prohibits the sale of medical marijuana, which is legally sold and used in 13 states for diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has slammed Grassley for his comments.

"Senator Grassley's arrogant comments are an affront to the 72 million Americans who reside in states where the use of medical cannabis is legal, and are objectionable to the 80 percent of voters nationwide who support the physician-supervised use of therapeutic cannabis," Paul Armentano, NORML deputy director, said in a statement.