Ganjika

"What the President said during the campaign...is consistent with what we will be doing here in law enforcement" - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder


(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Speaking at a press conference on Feb. 25 with DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told reporters that ending federal medical marijuana raids "is now American policy."

Don Duncan, California Director of Americans for Safe Access, says the Attorney General’s comments are the latest sign of a sea change in federal policy prompted by a groundswell of grassroots pressure by Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and our allies.

"They came as a response to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids carried out by Bush Administration holdovers in California in January and February," Duncan said.

President Obama indicated he would end the DEA raids during his presidential campaign, a position reiterated by the White House following DEA raids in raids which took placeon February 4.

In response to a question last night about DEA raids at medical marijuana facilities in California, Holder said, "What the President said during the campaign...is consistent with what we will be doing here in law enforcement. He was my boss in the campaign....He is my boss now. What he said in the campaign is now American policy."

Medical marijuana patients and advocates, who have mounted a massive grassroots campaign to influence the new Administration’s policy, cheered the Attorney General’s comments.

72 million Americans live in states where medical cannabis is legal, but federal law prohibits its use under any circumstances.

More than 100 Americans are currently facing prosecution, sentencing, or serving time in prison for medical cannabis offense right now.

ASA is working closely with a number of groups to ensure that the emerging change in federal policy signals an end to prosecutions and brings those already serving time for medical cannabis offenses home to their families.

ASA has provided recommendations for a new national medical cannabis policy to President Obama and the 111th Congress earlier this year. We are working overtime now to be sure those recommendations are heard in this new era of compassionate federal policy.

Source: Americans for Safe Access

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Freedom_User

U.S. Attorney General Says Justice Department Will No Longer Interfere With States’ Medical Pot Policies

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:56:12 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

Score one for the good guys!
Earlier this month, new U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder promised a clean break from the policies of the Bush administration. Yesterday, during a live interview on C-Span, he that this change includes ending the DEA raids of state-authorized medical marijuana providers!
Responding to a reporter’s question regarding the DEA’s recent actions against several California medical cannabis providers, Holder : “What the President said during the campaign . . . will be consistent with what we will be doing here in law enforcement. . . What [President Obama] said during the campaign . . . is now American policy.”
You can watch the video of Attorney General Holder’s remarks .
Holder’s statement marks a dramatic shift in U.S. drug policy, and is a major victory for the 72 million Americans who reside in states where the use of medical cannabis is legal! It also lends support to the ongoing efforts in Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island — each of which are debating legislative proposals to make the production and distribution of medical cannabis legal under state law.
At this time, NORML would like to personally thank those of you who responded to our request to contact the Attorney General’s office and urge Eric Holder to call off the DEA raids. Your phone calls and e-mails have helped to change U.S. marijuana policy!
So go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back. And while you’re at it, click here to thank the new Attorney General for supporting the will of the people and the health and welfare of seriously ill patients.
“Change we can believe in?” Yes it is, and it’s about time.
Marijuana Law Reform - NORML

(Congrats guys. It looks like it's going to be a major boom for the medical marijuana industry boom these coming years. )

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The feds continually use and twist this simple clause as an excuse to expand their own power - at the expense of our liberty.

"If you shot a ton of pot to the Sun, will it burn up and get everyone high?"

dirtbomb

That gives me some audacity to hope.

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ctwalrus

things are getting better all the time

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Ganjika

And Will Continue To Do So -

Only With The Help of An Awakened Public
Can We Make Change.

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Luis Hirschlieb

SleepyJohn

Eric Holder, US Atourney General, We have His Name. He is backing The President's Policy on Medical Marijuania Use,and, practices. We finially have somone to write to.
Does anybody have an Idea, what's His address, and, what should We tell,Ask,and do with His policies, in the Months to come? A Mass Letter compain, would lead Him to more decisive,With The The Presidents backing, stratagies,and, Law addendums. The seperation af Cannabius vs. Narcotics Syndrome, Must be Broken!

dirtbomb

We did!
I doubt that NORML's letter writing campaign was what swayed Mr Holder in this direction, but like all other people who are in public service, I think he certainly should consider what the public wants.
It's true that the poll numbers do not necessarily support this policy in majority amounts, but we "squeaky wheels" are demanding our grease.

legalizeItnow

Ok, this was announced, but was the memo sent out to the DEA agents
in the field.