Medical Marijuana IS LEGAL in California!

Ken L. Klaser

“Dear Ken Klaser:

Yesterday — with the leadership of the Department of Justice in flux while Attorney General-designate Eric Holder awaits confirmation by the Senate — Bush administration holdovers raided a medical marijuana dispensary in South Lake Tahoe, California.

President Obama vowed repeatedly during his campaign to stop such raids if elected, and we have every reason to believe he will make good on that promise. However, four top positions at the DEA are still filled by Bush cronies, who are attempting to undercut the president’s pledge.

Would you please take one minute to use MPP’s easy online system to e-mail the president and ask him to get his new leadership in place at the DEA quickly, so that these cruel and outdated policies finally end? Visit http://control.mpp.org to e-mail the president.

President Obama has promised that arresting patients and raiding clinics in states where medical marijuana is legal won’t be acceptable on his watch. Getting political appointees in place takes time, but yesterday the Bush holdovers showed that we must move swiftly.

[snip]

Thank you,

Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.”


My letter follows, it’s MPP’s default text, with a changed subject line:

Dear President Obama,

RE: Medical Marijuana IS LEGAL in California!

On January 22, the Drug Enforcement Administration raided a medical marijuana dispensary in California for the first time since you took office. During your campaign, you pledged to put an end to this unconscionable practice, saying, “I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It’s not a good use of our resources.”

This raid is only the most recent in a string of nearly 100 raids on medical marijuana dispensaries operating legally under state law. Would you please move swiftly to bring an end to these medical marijuana raids, as you vowed in the campaign? As president, you could start by appointing new leadership in the DEA and making it clear to the Department of Justice that this practice is no longer acceptable.

Last winter, the American College of Physicians issued an endorsement of medical marijuana, which, along with stating scientific support for marijuana’s medical efficacy, pointed out that “a clear discord exists between the scientific community and federal legal and regulatory agencies over the medicinal value of marijuana.”

Please help bring our government back in line with the scientific community by ending these raids. No one should suffer criminal penalties simply for using a medicine that works for them.

Sincerely,
Ken Klaser


If you’d like to and can afford to support this cause:

From MPP’s letter to me:

“P.S. As I’ve mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $2.35 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2009. This means that your donation at http://control.mpp.org will be doubled.”

6 thoughts on “Medical Marijuana IS LEGAL in California!”

  1. More Medical Marijuana raids, and another action letter from MPP of California.

    Again, it’s just the default text. The more diplomatic nature of others is something I sometimes admire.

    Subject:
    End the medical marijuana raids

    Message Body:
    On February 3, Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided four medical marijuana collectives in Los Angeles. These facilities were helping sick and suffering patients in accordance with our state’s law. During President Obama’s campaign, he pledged to put an end to this unconscionable practice, saying, “I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users. It’s not a good use of our resources.”

    Would you please move swiftly to bring an end to these medical marijuana raids, as you vowed in the campaign? As Attorney General, you could help fulfill the President’s pledge by appointing new leadership in the DEA and making it clear that this practice is no longer acceptable.

    Last April, the Los Angeles City Council voted 9-1 in support of a resolution urging the federal government to end these attacks on local patients and state law. Please listen to California voters and these local officials and take immediate action to stop the federal undermining of state law.

    Ken Klaser

    Surely all this medical marijuana stigma and confiscation isn’t the best mindset for the dying, or the sick. Much better that they pop a whole bunch of Rx pills?

  2. According to today’s Washington Times
    www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/05/dea-led-by-bush-continues-pot-raids/

    “The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind,” White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said.
    …
    “I’m not going to be using Justice Department resources to try to circumvent state laws on this issue,” Mr. Obama told the Mail Tribune newspaper in Oregon in March, during the Democratic primary campaign.

    Thank you President Obama! Let’s just hope you inspire those in the DEA to follow your lead.

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  4. Medical Marijuana is being prohibited from Washington, DC residents by a rider in an appropriations bill, and MPP has a petition asking that it be removed.

    An appropriation?

    Here’s the text of MPP’s letter (which I sent):

    Appropriations Bill and the Barr Amendment

    I am writing to ask that you eliminate a rider to the D.C. Appropriations Bill that prevents Washington, D.C. from implementing a ballot initiative that was passed by 70% of D.C. voters.

    Since 2001, a rider to the D.C. Appropriations Bill known as the Barr Amendment has prohibited Washington, D.C. from changing the penalties associated with marijuana possession or use. This legislation has prevented D.C. from implementing a medical marijuana ballot initiative that would have provided safe and legal access to medical marijuana for seriously ill patients with a doctor’s recommendation – an initiative that voters passed by a whopping 70% in 1998.

    The Barr Amendment is an affront to this sweeping majority of voters in Washington, D.C., who support protecting medical marijuana patients from arrest and prosecution, as well as the 78% of Americans who support medical marijuana access.

    Please eliminate this rider from the D.C. Appropriations Bill.

    Sincerely,

    Ken Klaser

    Darrel Issa also was sent a submission.

  6. I’m glad I found this page. This is great progress! However it begs the next obvious question..so why is medical marijuana so expensive?
    DO NOT tell me its because its the best. I know it is. I’ve smoked the best many times in the past through my own source. I’m talking High times centerfold bud. It’s about 50 – 70 an 8th. Same price as most dispensaries.I’ve trolled around around the internet and was disgusted at what many dispensaries are charging. Many of these people/organizations were saying they keep prices high because of risk. WELL WHATS THE EXCUSE NOW? THESE PEOPLE MAKE BOATLOADS OF MONEY OFF OF SICK AND DYING HUMAN BEINGS. Now that the risk is alleviated you scumbag dispensaries should lower the price! Truth is most of these dispensaries are making a killing. It’s sick. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

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