[Patient Advocacy Network] The Cautious Optimism of Southern California

[Patient Advocacy Network]

Last week our country’s newly appointed Attorney General Eric Holder was questioned about the continuing tactic of the DEA to target medical cannabis dispensaries in Southern California. AG Holder responded to the media by addressing that they may be “surprised” that the role of federal law enforcement will be consistent with the administrative directives of President Obama, whom AG Holder continually referred to as his “boss.” Mr. Holder continued that ending raids on legitimate medical cannabis facilities is now American policy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjZeW2fcQHM

What does this mean? First, although AG Holder is top cop of our country and Mr. Obama is the boss, this statement did not change federal law. This is important because in ongoing dialog with federal agents and prosecutors they always state that they raid and prosecute because there is a law on the books that allows them to do so. However, the Department of Justice sets the funding priorities for the Drug Enforcement Administration and can and should reprioritize their funding to EXCLUDE investigation, raids, arrests, seizures, prosecutions and incarcerations of legitimate patients. PAN participated in a conference call with staff in the House Judiciary Committee to address these funding priorities. We still await the official appointment of a permanent Administrator of the DEA.

Although federal law has not changed… yet, it appears that the perception in Washington has. Ending the raids has been the cry of patients in California for many years. It appears the right ears may now be listening. Ending the raids has been our American policy for some time as polls have consistently shown that 80% of American voters support medical marijuana. It now needs to become federal policy. PAN continues to educate Congressional leaders about the need for federal policy that protects patients and releases our PODW’s. (Prisoners of the Drug War)

What should we do? Although it appears it would be politically unpopular for the DEA to launch any further attacks on us, there is nothing at this time that prevents them from doing so. They still have the funding, the same hostile administrator and numerous open investigations. I ask EVERYONE in the medical cannabis community to continue to use caution and honor security culture. BE SAFE. We are not out of this yet. Many patients are still in prison. Ronnie Naulls, Virgil Grant and Charles Lynch may still lose their freedom. There are still rogue cops and cross-deputized officers who are arresting patients around the state today. Do not allow yourself to fall into a false sense of security until medical cannabis is regulated in a way that allows the patients/caregivers to cultivate and dispense it to the patient community without the federally enforced pharmaceuticalization of this herbal therapy. (Criminal defense is expensive in every way!) We still have A LOT of work to do. Until Cannabis Is Safe & Legal And All The Prisoners Free ~

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Posted By Patient Advocacy Network to Patient Advocacy Network at 3/04/2009 12:07:00 AM