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Medical Marijuana (photo: Coaster420/wikimedia)
Following the recent petition delivery by medical marijuana activists to her San Fransisco office, Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) put out a statement expressing strong concerns about the federal government’s increasingly aggressive efforts against medical marijuana. From her office:
“I have strong concerns about the recent actions by the federal government that threaten the safe access of medicinal marijuana to alleviate the suffering of patients in California, and undermine a policy that has been in place under which the federal government did not pursue individuals whose actions complied with state laws providing for medicinal marijuana.
“Proven medicinal uses of marijuana include improving the quality of life for patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and other severe medical conditions.
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“For these reasons, I have long supported efforts in Congress to advocate federal policies that recognize the scientific evidence and clinical research demonstrating the medical benefits of medicinal marijuana, that respects the wishes of the states in providing relief to ill individuals, and that prevents the federal government from acting to harm the safe access of medicinal marijuana provided under state law. I will continue to strongly support those efforts.”
The administration has been particularly aggressive about going after medical marijuana establishments in the San Francisco Bay area. In the last several months threats from U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag has result in nine dispensaries in San Francisco shutting down. It was also only one month ago that the DEA and IRS raided Oaksterdam University in neighboring Oakland.
The new statement puts Pelosi at odds with the Obama administration who in the past few years waged an aggressive multi-agency war against medical marijuana. Unlike Obama’s recent actions towards medical marijuana, Pelosi’s support for respecting states’ medical marijuana laws is inline with public opinion. A CBS News poll from last year found 77% of the country supports medical marijuana.
12 Comments
Now, if she’d only express strong concerns about Simpson-Bowles.
IOW, another social issue to deflect attention and criticism from the more substantive issues such as real health care reform, protecting SS, etc.
“The new statement puts Pelosi at odds with the Obama administration…”
Cuttin’ through the bullshit…and good on you, Jon, for doing it. :o)
(i DO agree with Beach Populist that the social issues won’t be nearly enough to make a hill of beans relative to our economic problems)
Wasn’t there some other politician condemning the Federal Government for harassing medical marijuana patients and caregivers in states where it was legal? Right around the time of elections, I’d say 2008ish? Hmmmm, slipped my mind . . . Oh Wait! that’s right! It was that guy we elected President who is now being condemned for the Federal Government crack downs in legal medical marijuana states!
As cynical as this sounds, I’m still going to say it. In the words of Phillip J Fry of Futurama non the less “Nothing but sweet, sweet words that turn into bitter orange wax in my ears!”
Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad to see another politician coming out against any aspect of the war on drugs, especially one that targets the sick, but I’d much rather read the headline “Nancy Pelosi Expresses Strong Concerns About Federal Medical Marijuana Crack Down, Bars Federal Authorities From Entering California To Violate California Law.” Anything else is just sweet sweet words turning to bitter wax in my ears and all that does is make it harder to hear DEA agents breaking down the doors of law abiding citizens attempting to provide medication to the sick and dying.
The largest MMJ establishment in Berkeley, the Berkeley Patients Group, is also a casualty of the recent crackdown.
Watch her walk back this statement. Just another corrupt puppet with a “D” next to her name spouting rhetoric to mollify the masses. She comes from a long line of corrupt politicians who infested Maryland politics for years.
Nancy, Nancy…I don’t believe your bullshit anymore. Remember the the Public Option?
Indeed.
She fought Bush-heid to a standstill on privatizing Social Security to do what? wait for a democrat to do it?
I’d add glaucoma to the list of medical uses for marijuana. It works for many people, and relieves slashing pain in the eye and the front of the head.
Medical Marijuana IS a JOBS Program.
The Unions in Ca. are in progress of signing up growers, bud-trimmers, Bud-tenders and others into their Unions at a Living Wage. Add in the growth of Hemp for out Farmers and they would have 2, not just 1 new Money Crop. Right all the hemp grown for comm’l use is now grown outside the US and yet we can buy the finished products without any problems.
Does Obama really want to go against the Unions over this ?
Sure. Without prohibition a lot of security state gravy trains stop running.
Those who benefit from the status quo will pay handsomely to keep those trains running on time.
Pelosi is worthless and if you believe anything that comes out of her mouth that would seem to support progressive politics you are beyond naive.
She’s an expert liar and always has been, never mind her fluttering-eyes-while-she-grasps-at-irony act.
After all, she’s a Democrat, huh?
Geeezus People! It’s an election year. Of course Nancy’s going to go all Populist, and express “strong concerns.” And then on or about November 7, take support for the will of the People “off the table.”