New Federal Guidelines Are A Victory For Patients
| By Americans For Safe Access | Published October 23, 2009 |
This morning, the U.S. Department of Justice issued new guidelines on medical marijuana. These guidelines are a big victory for medical marijuana patients. There is still much more work to be done, but this is a great step in the right direction.
The Federal guidelines are directed at U.S. Attorneys in states that have adopted medical use laws. In the words of US Attorney General Eric Holder:
"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."
Thank you for helping make this happen. Your emails, phone calls, and activism helped shift the debate in America!
For the first time, the US Department of Justice is formally advising prosecutors not to interfere with medical marijuana patients in medical marijuana states. This is a big deal.
We will continue to work with President Obama, the Justice Department, and the U.S. Congress to establish a comprehensive national policy, but it's good to know that in the meantime states can implement medical marijuana laws without interference from the federal government.
It is worth remembering that during the Bush Administration, there were more than 200 federal raids in California alone. Even now, the federal government is prosecuting more than two dozen medical marijuana cases in which defendants are prevented from using medical evidence.
There is much more work to be done. But thank you for helping us get this far.
Sincerely,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
P.S. As we continue our work, we could use your help. Consider making a contribution to ASA today.
