Thank you Mr. Holder, I am hoping that your threats to negate the rights of the people of California and the other states that oppose the federal government's absurd and extremely costly drug policies will awaken progressives to the importance of state's rights. And as I have said on many occasions, be very careful about encouraging the federal government to impose its will on other states and communities, even when you find their policies distasteful, because one day they will use that very same power to squash your community's right to self governance.
Feds to Enforce U.S. Drug Laws Even if California Legalizes Marijuana
CHRISTOPHER WEBER
CHRISTOPHER WEBER
Buzz kill. Even if California voters legalize marijuana next month, federal law enforcement officials will still "vigorously enforce" drug laws against people who grow, distribute or sell pot, Attorney General Eric Holder said.
Holder sent a letter this week to nine former chiefs of the Drug Enforcement Administration clarifying his agency's position on California's Proposition 19, The Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
"Let me state clearly that the Department of Justice strongly opposes Proposition 19. If passed, this legislation will greatly complicate federal drug enforcement efforts to the detriment of our citizens," Holder wrote.
The ballot initiative allows state residents 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to 25 square feet worth of pot plants. It also authorizes cities and counties to oversee cultivation and sales.
But the federal Controlled Substances Act forbids the possession and sale of marijuana, and it's that statute that Holder said he will continue to uphold -- no matter what happens in California.
"We will vigorously enforce the CSA against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law," wrote Holder (pictured).
Dale Sky Jones, a spokeswoman for the Prop. 19 campaign, told the Times the federal government is continuing to enforce "a failed policy."
"We're not necessarily surprised that the establishment is coming down on the side of the status quo . . . If the federal government is going to disregard the voters, this is a states' rights issue," Jones told the newspaper.
It's unclear whether the controversial measure will pass. Polls have shown that California residents are split evenly on the issue of legalization.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/15/feds-to-enforce-u-s-drug-laws-even-if-california-legalizes-mari/
Holder sent a letter this week to nine former chiefs of the Drug Enforcement Administration clarifying his agency's position on California's Proposition 19, The Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
"Let me state clearly that the Department of Justice strongly opposes Proposition 19. If passed, this legislation will greatly complicate federal drug enforcement efforts to the detriment of our citizens," Holder wrote.
The ballot initiative allows state residents 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to 25 square feet worth of pot plants. It also authorizes cities and counties to oversee cultivation and sales.
But the federal Controlled Substances Act forbids the possession and sale of marijuana, and it's that statute that Holder said he will continue to uphold -- no matter what happens in California.
"We will vigorously enforce the CSA against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law," wrote Holder (pictured).
Dale Sky Jones, a spokeswoman for the Prop. 19 campaign, told the Times the federal government is continuing to enforce "a failed policy."
"We're not necessarily surprised that the establishment is coming down on the side of the status quo . . . If the federal government is going to disregard the voters, this is a states' rights issue," Jones told the newspaper.
It's unclear whether the controversial measure will pass. Polls have shown that California residents are split evenly on the issue of legalization.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/15/feds-to-enforce-u-s-drug-laws-even-if-california-legalizes-mari/
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