president Obama
Colorado Collectives Warned by US Attorney
The early part of this week has delivered mixed news for medical marijuana patients. Those who attended the Cypress Hill Smokeout were treated to an excellent day long music festival and community gathering. There was one unfortunate development regarding Colorado, where the federal government has put their collectives on alert however.
Colorado has taken extraordinary steps to ensure patient access including a state wide licensing system for patients (which is what many advocates are hoping to see in California after the state Supreme Court takes on the issue later this year) and a tighter grip on dispensaries operating under state law. Additionally, a ballot initiative was successful and voters will get the chance to legalize marijuana for recreational use this November. As we mentioned last week, 23 of the over 700 collectives in Colorado were closed down, which only represented approximately 3% of all dispensaries.
A U.S. attorney in Colorado, John Walsh, does not want anyone to feel comfortable as they seek medical relief. The 23 collectives were shut down because they were not in compliance with state law. In most cases it involved collectives being too close to schools. President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder (who may have his hands full explaining his position on the US government’s right to target and kill US citizens overseas in the name of anti-terrorism) have said several times since their time on the 2008 campaign trail that they are not seeking to interfere with collectives and patients abiding by state law. Eric Holder even reiterated this idea as recently as December. However, John Walsh is saying that no collective should feel safe and that it is in his office’s discretion to go after any and all collectives in Colorado. Of course his office has to answer to the White House so we can wait and see if team Obama plans on keeping their word during an election year.
While we do not want to see patient access restricted, we should all take into consideration that a U.S. attorney may not want to describe a scenario where they basically green light a medical marijuana program that follows state laws, but is still under violation on a federal level. While John Walsh says everyone is on notice, they did only carefully select 23 to shut down. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office mentioned that dispensaries can be shut down for other non cannabis related violations such as possession of firearms and possessing marijuana when they are not in compliance with state laws. It sounds as if the U.S. attorneys are letting everyone know that they will go after any violation they can uncover. This should not be news as we know the feds are salivating to flex their muscle. However, with a vast majority of the country supporting medical marijuana, voters will have quite a bit to say in only a matter of months. It is important that advocates take action and make it out to the voting polls this November and support patient compassion and relief.
Feds Oversee Colorado Marijuana Collective Shutdowns
The latter part of 2011 put a chill down the spine of many patients who were concerned about where they would have access to medication. Federal raids in California received a great deal of media attention as many news outlets claimed medical marijuana in America was over. Now that the dust has settled and the vast majority of collectives remain open, the raids seem to be targeting an altogether different goal than a total annihilation of the program.
The federal attention has now shifted toward Colorado. Several months ago, federal authorities issued letters informing 23 collectives that they would have to relocate or close their doors because they were too close to schools and in violation of Colorado law. Earlier this week federal agents were sent in to oversee the shutdown, which occurred without incident according to reports. While this is an inconvenience for patients, hopefully most will still be able to access relief without major issues.
Most patients felt that President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder indicated that the administration would not conduct federal raids on collectives. That seemed to match the tone of the statements made on the 2008 campaign trail, however, team Obama choose their words very carefully. They mentioned not raiding any establishment that followed state law, and even as recently as two months ago Eric Holder reiterated the position by saying “our thought was that where a state has taken a position, has passed a law, and people are acting in conformity with a law, not abusing the law but acting in conformity with it, and, again, given our limited resources, that would not be an enforcement priority for the Justice Department.” Of course the statement seems to be filled with exit clauses, but it does indicate that those following state law should not be a federal target.
Much of the media signaled the end for medical marijuana toward the end of 2011. That does not seem to be a well thought out idea as no state has revoked its medical marijuana program even in the face of federal pressure. Additionally, there are 17 other states considering medical marijuana laws and other states considering total legalization. Although California is in a state of legal uncertainty, the pending decision of the state Supreme Court may re-establish order and consistent laws so that patients are ensured their legally protected “safe access”. Colorado has over 700 medical marijuana collectives. With 23 shutting down, that represents approximately 3% of collectives. While those who are against providing accessible relief brag about the closings, it truly is just a drop in the bucket. Of those 23, many may relocate and be able to open up legally elsewhere.
While no advocates/patients want to hear about dispensaries being forced to shut down, it is important to keep everything in perspective. America has changed its views on marijuana and the Federal government does not even seem willing to challenge state laws. While the closings appear to be defeat on the surface, the fact that the federal government is only willing to enforce its laws on 3% of Colorado collectives may signal a victory for patients and advocates alike.
Federal Attack on Marijuana has Market Impact
In another shocking development, the us government has proven that they’re novice at predicting how their actions will modify the economy. Although this might be a tale with a, medicinal marijuana costs are increasing as a direct consequence from the recent Federal raids. For a lot of patients, it is really an unfortunate development. Most People in america happen to be feeling the economical crunch, and already cash strapped patients trying to alleviate discomfort may have to find away out to stretch the dollar further.
Reviews indicate that the us government was lately focusing on shops in breach of Proposition 215 and California condition law. Since California made medicinal marijuana legal under condition law in 1996, patients happen to be treated to some steady reduction in prices. Large growing procedures were now allowed and didn’t require secrecy. The quantity of cannabis available clearly has jumped, so far. Tommy LaNier, director from the National Marijuana Initiative, place it very candidly and mentioned “Supply is lower, so costs are up.”
The Us Government has every to enforce its laws and regulations nevertheless its conflicting message makes existence hard for patients. Leader Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have mentioned that they don’t aim to target legitimate medicinal marijuana patients. This might actually be true, however the recent raids appear to contradict this. Everyone knows that particular shops aren’t putting patient concerns first and possibly they must be shut lower. However, rather than a business shakeup they might used less dramatic techniques from the companies. An extended phase out process might have saved stress and cash for battling patients. Farmers indicate that lots of strains will rise around $2,000-$2500 per lb.
Because the year in politics has proven, our government is effective in disregarding long-term economic factors. Many sick patients discovered hard method in which their supply of medication was shut lower, as well as once they situated another facility it might be costing them more income. If the us government made the decision to acknowledge medical marijuana’s value and controlled it, they might get rid of the speculating game making existence simpler on already battling patients.
Colorado Issues First Condition License for Medicinal Marijuana
It’s not so frequently that the industry can survive, grow, and thrive inside a 15 year period of time when confronted with a lot of legislative and political obstacles. Medicinal marijuana is a good example of this rare marketplace occurrence. Despite support increasing, the us government made the decision to conduct raids and change the whole medical cannabis industry.
Colorado has had an unexpected bold move at the time of federal violence toward other states. With what ought to be heralded among the bigger medicinal marijuana victories because the 1996 Compassionate Use Act, Colorado has released the very first ever condition level marijuana license. Seven other candidates are also informed that it’s likely they’ll get a condition level license too. Colorado has lengthy been creating a status as the condition using the best controlled medical cannabis program. This move is only going to enhance that status.
Furthermore, it might ease the current fears of patients and shops triggered by aggressive federal action. While patients and care providers need to consider moving with other cities, Colorado has had a significant step toward showing that it’ll still pursue methods for supplying medication to the citizens. While the us government can continue to reason that its law supersedes condition law, they might find a lot more resistance from the condition government. It’s one factor to push around local companies and mayors, but bullies usually meet their match once the older brother steps to the scene.
The us government is free of charge to pursue a battle having a swing condition whether it so selects, however there would probably be serious consequences to do this within an election year. Colorado directed its 9 electoral votes toward leader Obama in 2008. Using what looks to become a hotly contested election for 2012, leader Obama will probably depend upon the aid of democratic governor John Hickenlooper to assist deliver individuals votes again within the crucial condition. A lengthy attracted out court fight over condition versus. federal laws and regulations isn’t exactly what the whitened house needs whether it seeks re-election.