DEA Breaks Obama’s Promise – Medical Marijuana Raids Continue!

* Call the White House to Urge President Obama to Immediately Suspend DEA Interference! * -  Americans for Safe Access

During his campaign, Barack Obama won the support of medical marijuana advocates by pledging to end the federal raids on Cannabis dispensaries in states that have legalized the plant for medicine. On this video, candidate Obama reiterates that position, saying, “I would not have the Justice Department  prosecuting or raiding medical marijuana users. It’s not a good use of our resources.” Barack Obama on Medical Marijuana Raids

January 22, 2009 -  Two days after President Obama took his oath of office, the Drug Enforcement Administration raided a medical Cannabis provider in California and two locations in Colorado where medical Cannabis was being grown. - Drug War Chronical

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is urging Americans to urge President Obama to keep his promise and direct his administration to respect the laws of thirteen states that have enacted medical marijuana programs. Visit NORML and learn how you can help!

The Herbal Minded Rational You Tube channel has posted a video that connects President Obama’s vision for America with the need to legalize and regulate Cannabis Hemp.Marijuana News for January, 2009

The same You Tube producer has uploaded a series of videos featuring  members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition – consisting of police officers, federal agents, corrections officers, judges and other law enforcement professionals. In this video, a retired federal officer explains why the current prohibition (“War on Drugs”) actually makes the situation worse.Federal Agent Tells Obama to Legalize Marijuana

There never was a good war or a bad peace.
Benjamin Franklin (1773)

“Marijuana Inc.”on CNBC – Preview!

 The first lines of the trailer for  Marijuana Inc – Inside America’s Pot Industry on CNBC (the business channel) refer to Cannabis (marijuana) as an “illegal narcotic” – an error as Cannabis is not a narcotic (or an intoxicant – the government’s ONDCP site lists it as a “euphoriant”. Neuroprotectant and anti-inflammatory are other accurate classifications.), although it is indeed illegal in most circumstances, excepting medical uses in thirteen states.

That common error aside, the hour-long special promises to be another interesting insight into one of our largest industries least likely to need a government bail-out.  In fact, many economists think legalization, taxation and utilization of Cannabis could help lift America out of it’s slump. This Marijuana Inc trailer was posted on CNBC’s You Tube channel:Marijuana Inc

* Update: A review from The Drug War Chronical: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2009/jan/22/cnbc_s_marijuana_inc_propaganda

Last month the National Geographic Channel aired Marijuana Nation, another comprehensive look at this issue. However, the “NatGeo” channel at You Tube removed the trailer when it’s views eclipsed others on the channel.

These TV specials are part of a new focus on marijuana issues by the news media. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws compiled several media events this month. Unfortunately, the Rachel Hoffman Story (see previous post) on Dateline was pre-empted by the airliner in the Hudson last week – perhaps it will be on this week.

Some related news stories appearing this month:

Headline: Jan 7, 2009 – Column: Smoking Herb Not Necessarily a Road to Ruin- The newly decriminalized state of Massachusettes has widely varying viewpoints on the easing of personal possession statutes mandated by the voters last November.

Headline: Jan 7, 2009 – HIGH COURT TO CONSIDER WHETHER POT CAN BE PART OF RELIGION  - The Arizona Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether there is a religious right to possess marijuana.

Headline: Jan 8. 2008 – HI: OPED: Reefer Madness – This emotional letter from an anonymous author speaks for the victims of marijuana prohibition.

Headline: Jan 8, 2009 – BC: Column: America Begins To Ease Up On Marijuana Smokers – This editorial from Canada sums up results of the 2008 elections in the U.S., including a new medical marijuana state (MI), numerous municipalities and another state voting for decriminalization of marijuana.

Headline: Jan 15, 2008 – CA: ‘Guru of Ganja’ Mounts Second Court Appeal – Oakland, California’s Ed  Rosenthal is asking a federal appeals court to overturn his “re-conviction” on charges of growing marijuana, mainly because it was medical marijuana and the City of Oakland’s involvement was not made known to the jurors.

Headline: Jan 22, 2009 – Bongs Away! – How the Crusade Against Drug Paraphernalia Punishes Controversial Speech – An extensive article in Reason Magazine coming out next week is previewed here.

The prestige of government has undoubtedly been lowered considerably by the Prohibition law.  For nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced. It is an open secret that the dangerous increase of crime in this
country is closely connected with this.
Albert Einstein, My First Impression of the U.S.A., 1921