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Mitt Romney: I Will Fight Medical Marijuana Tooth and Nail

romney

Last week the Republicans held their convention and officially nominated Mitt Romney for president.  Tonight the Democratic National Convention will get underway.  Similar to the RNC, the Democrats will have many high profile speakers, including former President Bill Clinton who will speak later in the week.  We hope the bizarre Clint Eastwood chair incident will teach the Democrats an important lesson and stay on message, engaging the public on the issues that are important.  As many issues including the economy, abortion, and foreign policy will be discussed, marijuana reform and the war on drugs are not likely to be mentioned.

On the 2008 campaign trail President Obama took a friendlier tone to medical marijuana than the recent federal raids suggests.  In all fairness, we at marijuana.net have called him out on what appears to be a policy shift, or at the very least misleading.  However, he does still respect patients and has vowed not to arrest any patients.  He has kept that promise.  While politics as usual will not be enough for patients and activists, that may be what we have here.  Many analysts believe a second Obama term would see a friendlier atmosphere toward medical marijuana.  Some even believe he could finally reschedule.  Of course no one knows for sure what the president may or may not do.

However, we are pretty certain a Mitt Romney presidency could be disastrous for medical marijuana patients and legalization advocates.  Mitt Romney infamously walked away from a wheelchair bound patient who was asking if Romney would arrest him for using medical marijuana.  Romney sidestepped the question and never fully answered it.  However, in an uncharacteristic move Romney stated his views on marijuana reform very directly in a video we recently uncovered.  Addressing a crowd Romney utilized the typical and outdated talking points that marijuana is a gateway drug and that leads to an entrance into “the drug culture”.  He went on to say that medical marijuana was an excuse to legalize totally.  While many activists believe in legalization, there are many patients out there who rely on medical cannabis.  Their quality of life would be severely damaged without it.

The issue may not creep up too much as the candidates will surround themselves in very scripted atmospheres.  Unless one of the debate moderators decides raise the issue it is unlikely we will get to hear an exchange between Romney and Obama on the issue.  While many have not been thrilled with the president’s approach, patients should be terrified of what Mitt Romney has said.  Also in the video we mentioned above, is Romney swearing to fight medical marijuana “tooth and nail”.  We have not heard him take a passionate stance on much or even address issues directly so it is surprising that this is the issue Romney would take his stance on.

However, can we even be sure he believes in this anti-marijuana stance, as the elastic politician has successfully secured the GOP nomination while simultaneously flipping his position on almost every relevant social issue.  Perhaps marijuana will join abortion, TARP, the auto bailout, government healthcare, the stimulus, Ronald Reagan, global warming, and the many other issues Mitt Romney has altered his view on.  The Mitt Romney we watched on television Thursday addressing the attendees of the Republican National Convention looks nothing like (except  in hair style and choice of suit) the candidate who ran against Ted Kennedy for the US Senate in 1994, won the Massachusetts governorship in 2002, or even ran against John McCain in the 2008 primaries.  The silver lining for patients is that Mitt Romney is never married to his words and clearly reads polls.  With 75% of the country supporting medical marijuana, there is a good chance he will abandon an anti-marijuana policy.

 

You can check out the video for yourselves

 

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Feds May Not Be Able to Flex Muscles After New State Laws

juice head

Similar to an annoying gym rat who screams as he exhales while hogging up any full body mirrors, our federal government acts like a “juicehead”, usually eager to show off and flex any chance it gets.  We witnessed this during the medical marijuana raids of the Clinton and G.W. Bush presidencies but in 2008 we were then promised newer and smarter ideas.  We were promised a fully body approach complete with calisthenics and nutritional eating.  However, despite such claims we find ourselves back to square one, paying taxes to a government that is more concerned with feeding its inflating ego and only working out its upper body.  Last fall, dispensary raids conducted a rate previously unseen.

Recently, 23 medical marijuana businesses in Washington were sent threatening letters from the DEA, informing them they would have to shut down or face prosecution.  The letters were sent out to dispensaries that are in violation of Washington state law as they are operating within school zones.  Matthew G. Barnes, of Seattle’s DEA sent the letters which asked dispensaries to “Please take the necessary steps to discontinue the sale and/or distribution of marijuana…within 30 days.”

While the federal government has made it clear they would like to dismantle the entire medical marijuana program, they have chosen a careful route in doing so.  Because they do not want to be accused of interfering with state laws, they so far claim to only target dispensaries that are in violation of state law.  Many feel that threats to Harborside Health and other high profile California collectives had nothing to do with state law.  In addition to the comments included above, Mr. Barnes made statements that did not seem to be concerned with upholding Washington State law as he said “The DEA will not turn a blind eye to criminal organizations that attempt to use state or local law as a shield for their illicit drug trafficking activities.”

The statement actually seems to insinuate that these collectives were attempting to “traffic drugs” at a profit and that respecting state laws had little to do with the decision.  Of course anytime the White House is challenged on the issue they still maintain that they only get involved once state laws are broken.  This is a statement that could soon backfire as three states will allow its residents to vote on totally legalizing marijuana, even for recreational use.  How sacred will state law be to the feds if Washington, Oregon, or Colorado or all three legalize marijuana?  Will the feds continue to flex their muscle and admit their disregard for state laws after using it as their defense for so long?  Will they try to be more subtle, or will they walk away from the mirror and try to use all of their resources and strength to help instead of harm?

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LA Councilman Shows Marijuana Appeal Growing

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The move to ban dispensaries in the City of Los Angeles devastated patients and advocates not only in the area, but across the nation.  Los Angeles has become the epicenter for the medical marijuana movement with sick patients moving their so they can pursue relief.  While this move stings, it is not even clear if it will stick.  The move by the Los Angeles City Council directly contradict a ruling by California’s 2nd District Court of Appeals, which stated weeks ago that municipalities do not have the right to ban marijuana dispensaries.

With that being said, we would like to look farther ahead than the day to day politics of marijuana, which in a frenzied election season are sure to change daily.  Last week marijuana.net posted a story that shows just how far the perception of marijuana has evolved.  Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl announced to the L.A. Times that he has been a medical marijuana patient himself for over ten years.  The councilman said he medicates with cannabis to help alleviate symptoms related to neuropathy.  Last week he revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer, explaining his absence from City Hall meetings and perhaps another reason he will medicate with cannabis.  Mr. Rosendahl said he would have had a tough time without medical cannabis and the neuropathy makes his feet “red hot with pain.”  Many politicians have admitted to previous marijuana use but usually chalk it up misguided decisions made in their youth.  Few elected officials admit to currently smoking marijuana.

President Bill Clinton famously admitted to smoking marijuana, but he carefully tiptoed the political line and said he did not inhale.  Under his administration many federal raids of marijuana dispensaries were carried out.  Our current president, Barack Obama, admitted to frequent marijuana use in his earlier years only to now direct his agents toward the largest crackdown in medical marijuana’s 16 years.  Although Bill Rosendahl is not the president, he may represent the next phase of balancing marijuana and politics.  Is it crazy to think that one day a sitting president of the United States will also hold a medical marijuana card?

That day may yet be a ways off but Bill Rosendahl is showing that America is ready for the truth.  With approximately 75% of the nation supporting a doctor’s right to prescribe cannabis, the game has changed.  The future looks bright and we were glad to see that people came out in support of Mr. Rosendahl.  His admission lets patients know they are not on their own, and that one of their own represents them.  We at marijuana.net look forward to Bill Rosendahl’s return to the Los Angeles City Council, and his continued pursuit of providing compassion and relief.

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Ron Paul looking for U.S. Presidency and Reform

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Using the Iowa Caucuses looking for in a few days, many begin to see the race for that Republican nomination like a two equine race.  However, as Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich fight for that 2012 nomination, Ron Paul has silently been climbing within the polls.  This frequently occur in primaries and without party support it appears likely Ron Paul will find it difficult to from the gap that separates him and also the two heavy players within the party.

Ron Paul likes his great amount of grassroots support, due actually largely to his fearlessness when confronted with tough issues.  Mr. Paul has damaged away frequently using the rank and file of his party and the recent comments around the Fight against Medicine is exactly the same.  Around the Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Mr. Paul referred to his sights on U.S. drug policy.  Particularly he stated “The role of the us government would be to safeguard our protections. Which means they ought to safeguard our religious protections to complete what we should want our intellectual liberty, it should safeguard our to do in order to the body what we should want, you realize, what we should take into our physiques.”  Leno responded by asking “even if it is dangerous?”  Paul was by his comments and mentioned that government cannot safeguard us from ourselves.  Many may go through the claims are extremely strong, it isn’t frequently we learn about a prominent lawmaker talking about how you can return privileges to folks.

The longtime supporter of medicinal marijuana and patient privileges might have newly found allies because the guy Ron Paul needs to operate against the coming year has had heavy critique from marijuana advocates.  Ron Paul has loved a stable increase in the polls recently and lots of are predicting him either to have a very good showing or outright win tomorrow’s Iowa caucus.  Regrettably for Mr. Paul the storyline of his old news letters has resurfaced.  For political lovers, fundamental essentials same claims that dogged him in the past elections, including his not successful 2008 presidential campaign.  One famous statement composed under his title was at reaction to the la rioting throughout the Rodney King incident.  Paul or whomever made the claims under referred to the riots by saying “Order was just restored in L.A. if this came here we are at the shades of black to get their welfare inspections.”  That’s a powerful statement and would prevent any candidate from winning a national election.  Ron Paul cannot run out of this problem if he really wants to convince voters he didn’t result in the comments.

The storyline concerning the e-newsletter comes at any given time where Ron Paul was searching to get major momentum.  However, his insufficient support in the GOP hierarchy could eventually end up being a level bigger hurdle.  Additionally, there’ve previous those who win from the Iowa Caucuses who have been not able to take advantage of the momentum and win their party’s nomination.  Mike Huckabee won the Iowa caucus in 2008, but never was truly seen as an serious contender for that U.S. presidency.  Other famous those who win from the caucus who ultimately didn’t receive party nomination include dems Dick Gephardt (1988) and Tom Harkin (who in 1992 would eventually miss out to Bill Clinton).  Regardless of what happens Ron Paul will probably maintain his recognition inside the medicinal marijuana community.


Get more information at conservative systems copy from the Ron Paul News letters



Get more information at National Alemo’s copy from the Ron Paul News letters

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Newt Gingrich Clear on Opposition to Medical Marijuana

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Cult excitement often accompanies those who rail against the status quo.  Maintaining one’s principles in the face of a disagreeing majority can be quite difficult.  In politics, it seems that candidates often champion this idea.  Then they can acquire nicknames like “maverick” and “cowboy” if voters are convinced they are not scared to take a hard stand.  However, ignoring the wishes of the majority may not be a prudent choice when seeking public office.

Newt Gingrich has seen a rise in the polls lately as he attempts the long journey toward the United States presidency.  Mr. Gingrich has used the reliable justification for his current stance on medical marijuana, the children.  He was recently quoted as saying “What has changed was the number of parents I met with who said they did not want their children to get the signal from the government that it was acceptable behavior.”  He also went on to call medical marijuana in California “a joke” and went even further to call medical marijuana a convenience.  Thousands of patients would likely respond by saying there is nothing “convenient” about debilitating conditions that are relieved by marijuana.  Gingrich also went on to say he was seeking stricter penalties for marijuana users and that he would like the government to take a more aggressive stance in marijuana enforcement.  This obviously is in contrast with the rest of Americans and recent polls show approximately 80% of the country supports medical marijuana.  Additionally, most of the GOP is seeking to reduce our nation’s debt and save money where possible.  Directing additional tax dollars toward the war on drugs may be hard to sell to the American people.

Mr. Gingrich also went on to applaud Singapore’s harsh legal system.  Such praise could result in a political backfire.  Much of the world has pleaded for Singapore to alter their harsh stance on law enforcement.  Under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act, marijuana possession of 500 grams requires use of the death penalty.   In 1994 former President Bill Clinton tried to negotiate a lighter sentence for 18 year old American Michael Fay when he was convicted of vandalism while in Singapore.  Fay received six bamboo cane strikes and served four months in jail.  Gingrich has also recently said, in regards to Singapore that, “They’ve been very draconian. And they have communicated with great intention that they intend to stop drugs from coming into their country.”  He also stated that he would execute members of the Mexican drug cartel.  Members of the Mexican drug cartel certainly do not deserve any sympathy , but perhaps that violent line of thinking has not served our country well in the 40 year war on drugs.  Instead of more gunfire many Americans now want to phase the cartel out by regulation and decriminalization, in turn making their function obsolete.  Cartel members can still be tried in court and face whatever penalties are appropriate.  Newt Gingrich’s recent comments on medical marijuana come as a surprise to many political analysts.  During the 1980’s, he wrote a letter that supported the use of medical marijuana in the March 19, 1982 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.  The following paragraph is an exact quote from his letter and is in stark contrast with his recent statements:

“We believe licensed physicians are competent to employ marijuana, and patients have a right to obtain marijuana legally, under medical supervision, from a regulated source. The medical prohibition does not prevent seriously ill patients from employing marijuana; it simply deprives them of medical supervision and denies them access to a regulated medical substance. Physicians are often forced to choose between their ethical responsibilities to the patient and their legal liabilities to federal bureaucrats.”  There does not seem to be any praise for draconian laws here and he certainly no mention of him viewing medical marijuana as a joke.  Click here for the full letter

Newt Gingrich’s timing for his policy shifts is baffling.  When the momentum for medical marijuana was very low he was supportive and now that the country overwhelmingly supports it he has changed his stance.  The only comparable situation is the behavior of a child who is just trying to be difficult.  Is Newt Gingrich just trying to gauge the American public and take the opposite stand?  As a veteran of the American political landscape there must be some other reason.  His behavior seems politically motivated and perhaps even strategic against Mitt Romney.  Many believe that Mitt Romney will ultimately win the Republican nomination for 2012.  However, former Governor Romney’s perceived weakness pertains to his popularity with ultra conservatives.  Whatever the rationale is for his position change on medical marijuana, it is clear that part of his strategy is definitely aimed at painting Mitt Romney as too moderate.  At a recent town hall meeting Mr. Gingrich went out of his way to mention that he was more conservative than Mitt Romney.   The primaries usually see candidates reach to the far left or right wing in order to shore up support, then gradually inch their way back toward the middle of the political spectrum.  Newt Gingrich may have to stand behind these harsh and possibly very unpopular views of medical marijuana.  If that is the case many libertarians, economists, and independent voters may be turned off to his candidacy.  Backing off these statements may not sit well with his conservative base, a group he may ultimately need on his journey toward the presidency.

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