The Fed takes a different look at Mary Jane.

[MyTitthias]

Very interest... It seems like they are relatively leaving marijuana policy up to the states.

Feds issue new medical marijuana policy - Yahoo! News

WASHINGTON – Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department.

Under the policy spelled out in a three-page legal memo, federal prosecutors are being told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

The guidelines issued by the department do, however, make it clear that federal agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes.

The memo advises prosecutors they "should not focus federal resources in your states on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana."

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

"It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

By the government's count, 14 states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Some medical marijuana advocates say Maryland shouldn't be included in that group, because the law there only allows for reduced penalties for medical marijuana usage.

California stands out among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries — businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.

Advocates say marijuana is effective in treating chronic pain and nausea, among other ailments.

Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice.

The memo spelling out the policy was sent Monday to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The memo written by Deputy Attorney General David Ogden emphasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choosing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of federal manpower to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law.

"This is a major step forward," said Bruce Mirken, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This change in policy moves the federal government dramatically toward respecting scientific and practical reality."

The change has critics, including lawmakers who see it as a tactical retreat in the fight against Mexican drug cartels.

"We cannot hope to eradicate the drug trade if we do not first address the cash cow for most drug trafficking organizations — marijuana," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

Administration officials said the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity.

In particular, the memo urges prosecutors to pursue marijuana cases which involve violence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or involvement in other crimes.

And while the policy memo describes a change in priorities away from prosecuting medical marijuana cases, it does not rule out the possibility that the federal government could still prosecute someone whose activities are allowed under state law.

The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to U.S. attorneys in the states that allow medical marijuana. It notes that pot sales in the United States are the largest source of money for violent Mexican drug cartels, but adds that federal law enforcement agencies have limited resources.

[Amastacia]

"We cannot hope to eradicate the drug trade if we do not first address the cash cow for most drug trafficking organizations — marijuana," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

Good to see people have such a firm grasp on the issues...

Not to downplay the profitability of marijuana, but drug wars and cartels do not spring up around the wacky weed. It's just not valuable enough per unit of weight/volume.

[Olo401]

Ohi Rep. Lamar Smith, I'm Meth and I'm cooked in your backyard. I'm also infinitely more deadly and addictive than MJ ever will be, and that's not just from people getting high from me - ever seen those car-trunk labs I'm made in?

[Day]

If we can buy liquor we should be able to buy weed. End of Story. Anyone whos done both a few times will agree. So fucking stupid. How much money do we waste on this shit, and how much could we make by legalizing?

[MyTitthias]

The Federal Gov't won't legalize it overnight. It will be a gradual shift in policy and this is the start.

[Day]

Why? That's retarded. When laws are stupid we should get rid of them. Overnight would be great.

[Suited Aces]

How much money do we waste on this shit, and how much could we make by legalizing?

And how much do lawyers and the prison systems stand to lose if marijuana is decriminalized?

[Day]

Who gives a FUCK about lawyers and prison systems making money. That's the funniest shit I have read all day.

[MyTitthias]

Mainly due to tradition and generational stubbornness. A sudden shift in drug policy will cause a large backlash to the administration.

[MyTitthias]

Who gives a FUCK about lawyers and prison systems making money. That's the funniest shit I have read all day.

These are some of the largest special interest groups. Ever heard of the phrase "Money talks?"

[Day]

There are special interest groups to make sure that prisons make money. Is this what you are telling me?

[bechyni]

It will be legalized and it will be taxed to get so begin complaints about high weed tax rates now gooooo

[Day]

i'm all for high weed taxes pun intended

[Suited Aces]

Who gives a FUCK about lawyers and prison systems making money. That's the funniest shit I have read all day.

Oh yeah. I forgot lawyers don't make laws and basically run the world. Cutting into their income would be good for them.

[gandorf]

Legalizing weed wont happen for a couple more years. Hopefully if they do legalize it they kick those above the influence commercials off air.

[Kaslo]

These are some of the largest special interest groups. Ever heard of the phrase "Money talks?"

It's not really that lawyers are a special interest group, it's that lawyers write the laws for legislators.

[Day]

Oh yeah. I forgot lawyers don't make laws and basically run the world. Cutting into their income would be good for them.

I'm not even sure you know what you are talking about.

Either way I don't give a ffffuck about someone that makes money off throwing someone in jail over a quarter bag of weed.

[Suited Aces]

I'm not even sure you know what you are talking about.

Either way I don't give a ffffuck about someone that makes money off throwing someone in jail over a quarter bag of weed.

Just because you don't give a ffffuck doesn't mean that the people that make money off weed being illegal don't.

[Day]

I clearly understand this as a pothead my friend, however I'm saying that it is retarded for that to be the reason it is illegal.

[Kerberoz]

If we can buy liquor we should be able to buy weed. End of Story. Anyone whos done both a few times will agree. So fucking stupid. How much money do we waste on this shit, and how much could we make by legalizing?

Fucking seriously, this.

I'm far from a pothead, but I'll indulge if offered. Alcohol messes you up multitudes worse than pot ever could. Hell, even benadryl can mess you up worse than pot.

Quit wasting my tax dollars on harmless shit that just mellows you out.