http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2014/05/house_vote_dea_funding_marijuana_raids.php?page=1 "Over the years, marijuana activists have frequently talked about the tipping point -- the moment at which so many states have legalized pot that the federal government is forced to change its policies in regard to a substance still considered a Schedule 1 narcotic by the Drug Enforcement Agency. In years to come, historians may look at what happened last night as an important step in that direction. The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted to defund DEA medical marijuana raids in states, including Colorado, where MMJ is legal. The vote came in conjunction with H.R. 4660, a massive appropriations bill for "the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 15, 2015," according to the version of the bill on view below. Representative Dana Rohrabacher. Representative Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican, proposed an amendment to the measure that reads like so: AMENDMENT TO H.R. 4660, AS REPORTED (CJS APPROPRIATIONS) OFFERED BY MR. ROHRABACHER OF CALIFORNIA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: SEC. ll. None of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used, with respect to the States of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana. Other measures like this one have been introduced in the past, but none have ever gotten close to passage. According to the Marijuana Majority's Tom Angell, the previous high-water mark was 165 votes in favor way back in 2007. This time around, however, the House passed the amendment 219 to 189 -- a margin that leaves Angell happily startled, as is clear in an e-mail statement to Westword shared late last night. "This historic vote shows just how quickly marijuana reform has become a mainstream issue," Angell writes. "The last time a similar amendment came up it didn't come very close to passing but, since then, more states have passed medical marijuana laws and a couple have even legalized marijuana for all adults. More states are on the way later this year and in 2016, and it's clear that more politicians are beginning to realize that the American people want the federal government to stop standing in the way. If any political observers weren't aware that the end of the war on marijuana is nearing, they just found out." One factor for increasing support cited by Angell: the attention garnered by parents of children using low THC/high CBD forms of marijuana to treat children suffering from severe seizure disorders. Last year, as we've reported, Charlotte Figi, a Colorado child diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome, an uncommon, and serious, form of epilepsy, became a poster child for this movement when CNN's Sanjay Gupta featured her story in reports about how he changed his mind about the medical efficacy of cannabis. Since then, an increasing number of families whose children are afflicted with similar conditions have moved to Colorado in order to gain access to this treatment. "This year's huge vote increase can largely be attributed to the fact that lawmakers only recently began hearing the moving stories of the many children whose severe seizures are only relieved by marijuana," Angell notes. "Being able to list these CBD states in the amendment text meant that more members of Congress that represent these states voted yes than otherwise would have. Counting these states, 60 percent of the U.S. population lives in a place where state law disagrees with federal law." Other advocates are similarly jazzed by last night's vote. Here's a statement from the Marijuana Policy Project's Dan Riffle, whose organization began lobbying for an amendment like Rohrabacher's back in 2003: "Congress is officially pulling out of the war on medical marijuana patients and providers. Federal tax dollars will no longer be wasted arresting seriously ill medical marijuana patients and those who provide to them. This is a historic vote, and it's yet another sign that our federal government is shifting toward a more sensible marijuana policy. "This measure passed because it received more support from Republicans than ever before. It is refreshing to see conservatives in Congress sticking to their conservative principles when it comes to marijuana policy. Republicans increasingly recognize that marijuana prohibition is a failed Big Government program that infringes on states' rights. "It's becoming clearer and clearer that marijuana prohibition's days are numbered. Polls are consistently finding that a strong majority of Americans think marijuana should be legal, and an overwhelming majority support legal access to medical marijuana. It's nice to see more members of Congress standing up for their constituents instead of standing in the way of reform." Also weighing in is Neill Franklin, head of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. "Today marks the beginning of a new era in marijuana policy reform," he writes. "Never before has the US Congress acted so decisively to protect states' rights to make their only laws regarding marijuana. This is an encouraging sign of things to come and represents a return to the constitutional principle of respecting states' rights to police their own people." It's important to stress that the language of Rohrabacher's amendment specifically cites medical marijuana, not recreational pot -- meaning, presumably, that the federal government could continue to fund enforcement of actions related to non-medical cannabis in Colorado and Washington, the two states that have legalized limited sales of the substance for recreational purposes. Moreover, the vote isn't the final word on the subject. A long process remains before it can possibly be signed into law. As such, the vote does not yet qualify as a tipping point. Rather, it's an indication that the balance continues to shift."
Who needs the DEA when state taxes will fund local enforcement like never before. This is the canary in the coalmine showing just how far along the plans OF the FEDS and their special interest partners have developed that they needn't wage a ground war anymore. Don't start claiming "victory" when you have states being referred to as "CBD states." I'm now in a "CBD state" and qualify and the law won't help a bit. I wish I could be more optimistic at this time, but the laws just aren't allowing it.
As long as marijuana is Schedule 1 it is still drug war on. All this does is give us another stick to beat them with,,if marijuana is medicine enough to stop DEA raids on dispensaries then why is it still Schedule 1? Put that in every letter to your legislators now,,while it is still fresh in their minds.
Pretty interesting indeed. I foresee that while the people are pushing for legalization at the grassroots, pharmaceuticals and other groups are now pushing for certain "legalization" measures as well. But for different reasons of course. I feel they realized the collective majority has decided that we deserve it and rather than fight a losing battle vs the people, they decided to try and gain as much market control as possible. IE the DEA generates a lot of money targeting stoners, however even more money can be generated by controlling, patenting and profiting off cannabis in various legal markets. As is evident in MN, groups like GW Pharma can now have their whole plant extract (patented, very expensive yet not really any more effective than what you can make at home) become one of the very few options to MMJ patients. Rescheduling is on its way. Schedule 2 opens the door for GW et al to stock their extracts at CVS and other national chain pharmacies. This side of the industry, also the cannabis biotech industry (intertwined now) generate far more than what the DEA ever could, chasing "dirty stoners" around. Consider that the interests above the DEA are also above the pharmaceutical cartels and banks... regardless of whether they like it or not, the DEA is being told to step aside because Master doesn't want them messing with what is about to become their new cash cow. Now, if we could get cannabis completely removed from the CSA schedule - like tobacco and alcohol - THEN we'd really have something to celebrate. No plant limits. No carry limits. Everyone has access, just as easily as tomatoes, vineyard grapes or ginseng plants. That is the promise land, and our birthright, but it will never be recognized unless the people unite collectively on this issue. Until then, expect scheduling to adjust, allowing corporate interests and bankers to legally participate and steer this industry. CBD-only pills coming to a pharmacy near you! Check with your doctor! Don't worry about caregivers, local cultivators or etc because only "pharma grade" cannabis is safe and effective!
I would say this is probably the beginning of the rescheduling/descheduling of cannabis. Now that congress appears to be on board against the DEA and the DOJ it is only a matter of when, not if now IMO, that cannabis is accepted as medicine by the government (fuckin took em long enough) and it will slowly become an open part of society. As far as states go, some will fight against it but those in charge or running for office will find that the votes can be gained supporting mmj and those who do oppose, well, they'll be looking for a new job.
Hey man. Looks like the California medical scene can breathe a little sigh of relief since almost all of the raids on dispensaries come brought to you by the DEA, and charges brought to you by the DOJ. I wanna be a part of that 10lb plant club too.
I wasn't worried. They don't bother me with my 30 plants. You won't be growing anything if you keep supporting those lame ass bills they put. It will soon be who can make the best pill.
Trust me brother, once Florida votes on this mmj bill this November with 82% in favor, that's like a primer ball on the engine for a full recreational initiative, personal grows included, bet your ass.