{"id":1168,"date":"2012-05-10T07:46:37","date_gmt":"2012-05-10T07:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/?p=15366"},"modified":"2012-05-10T07:46:37","modified_gmt":"2012-05-10T07:46:37","slug":"lawmakers-propose-new-tactic-in-fight-for-marijuana-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/lawmakers-propose-new-tactic-in-fight-for-marijuana-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers Propose New Tactic in Fight for Marijuana Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/lawmakers-propose-new-tactic-in-fight-for-marijuana-reform\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"278\" height=\"181\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/congress1.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"congress\" title=\"congress\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-15403\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/politicians-propose-new-tactic-in-fight-for-marijuana-reform\/attachment\/congress-2\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-15403\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/congress1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>For decades the idea of high profile politicians taking on the issue of marijuana reform was laughable.\u00a0 Even after the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdph.ca.gov\/programs\/mmp\/pages\/compassionateuseact.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Proposition 215<\/a> passed, many lawmakers outside of California would not publicly consider proposing changes to marijuana law.\u00a0 Currently there are now <a href=\"http:\/\/medicalmarijuana.procon.org\/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881\" target=\"_blank\">16 states<\/a>, (with Connecticut expected to join the growing list) and the nation\u2019s capital where marijuana is permitted for medical use.<\/p>\n<p>Americans have stated their desire for a compassionate medical system.\u00a0 We are seeking to move on from medical treatments that rely on addictive pills and unaffordable bills. However, the greatest threat to our new compassionate medical system are the people who work for <strong><em>us<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 The Federal government, despite statements from<a href=\"http:\/\/www.barackobama.com\/splash\/stand-with-the-president?\" target=\"_blank\"> President Barack Obama<\/a> that the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.justice.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Department of Justice <\/a>would not be using tax payer resources to circumvent state laws, has tried to dismantle relief one dispensary at a time.\u00a0 Fortunately, U.S. House of Representatives members<a href=\"http:\/\/www.farr.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Sam Farr<\/a> (D-Calif.), <a href=\"http:\/\/rohrabacher.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dana Rohrabacher<\/a> (R-Calif.) and<a href=\"http:\/\/hinchey.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Maurice Hinchey<\/a> (D-N.Y.) have proposed outlawing federal funds from being used to interfere with state laws.\u00a0 The debate is over HR bill 5326, the bill that determines the funding for the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the reform conversation has revolved around protests and ballot initiatives.\u00a0 While these have been successful, ballots to change the law have not been able to protect caregivers from federal raids.\u00a0 It is only recently that our elected officials have decided to push the issue and get more creative.\u00a0 Many of us are familiar with the popular legalization bill proposed by <a href=\"http:\/\/frank.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Barney Frank<\/a> (D-Mass) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ronpaul.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ron Paul<\/a> (R-TX).\u00a0 The bill was met with predictable opposition, but at least kept the issue in the spotlight.\u00a0 An attempt to defund the DOJ is a new method being utilized by lawmakers and may be a more effective way to frame the discussion.\u00a0 If deficit spending continues to dominate the campaign coverage then saving money on raiding marijuana dispensaries should match the national financial conversation in step.<\/p>\n<p>Like the ghosts of a haunted past, marijuana reform is rearing its pretty head everywhere.\u00a0 The president has been taking criticism on marijuana policy seemingly everywhere he goes.\u00a0 Foreign leaders (<a href=\"http:\/\/articles.cnn.com\/2011-07-26\/world\/mexico.drugs_1_drug-cartels-drug-policy-drug-violence?_s=PM:WORLD\" target=\"_blank\">Vicente Fox<\/a>), domestic allies (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/03\/nancy-pelosi-medical-marijuana_n_1474854.html\" target=\"_blank\">Nancy Pelosi<\/a>), presidential candidates (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2012\/05\/gary-johnson-and-the-end-of-marijuana-as-a-fringe-issue\/256565\/\" target=\"_blank\">Gary Johnson<\/a>), comedians( <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/28\/jimmy-kimmel-whcd-pot_n_1462140.html\" target=\"_blank\">Jimmy Kimmel<\/a>), evangelicals (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/8301-201_162-57393466\/pat-robertson-marijuana-should-be-legal\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pat Robertson<\/a>) and of course patients seeking pain relief are all voicing their opinion in support of cannabis reform.\u00a0 Now that politicians on a national stage are starting to support compassionate reform, hopefully they will use even more creativity in trying to pass legislation that will finally end a century long error.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"278\" height=\"181\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/congress1.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"congress\" title=\"congress\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-15403\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/politicians-propose-new-tactic-in-fight-for-marijuana-reform\/attachment\/congress-2\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-15403\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/congress1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>For decades the idea of high profile politicians taking on the issue of marijuana reform was laughable.\u00a0 Even after the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdph.ca.gov\/programs\/mmp\/pages\/compassionateuseact.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Proposition 215<\/a> passed, many lawmakers outside of California would not publicly consider proposing changes to marijuana law.\u00a0 Currently there are now <a href=\"http:\/\/medicalmarijuana.procon.org\/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881\" target=\"_blank\">16 states<\/a>, (with Connecticut expected to join the growing list) and the nation\u2019s capital where marijuana is permitted for medical use.<\/p>\n<p>Americans have stated their desire for a compassionate medical system.\u00a0 We are seeking to move on from medical treatments that rely on addictive pills and unaffordable bills. However, the greatest threat to our new compassionate medical system are the people who work for <strong><em>us<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 The Federal government, despite statements from<a href=\"http:\/\/www.barackobama.com\/splash\/stand-with-the-president?\" target=\"_blank\"> President Barack Obama<\/a> that the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.justice.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Department of Justice <\/a>would not be using tax payer resources to circumvent state laws, has tried to dismantle relief one dispensary at a time.\u00a0 Fortunately, U.S. House of Representatives members<a href=\"http:\/\/www.farr.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Sam Farr<\/a> (D-Calif.), <a href=\"http:\/\/rohrabacher.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dana Rohrabacher<\/a> (R-Calif.) and<a href=\"http:\/\/hinchey.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\"> Maurice Hinchey<\/a> (D-N.Y.) have proposed outlawing federal funds from being used to interfere with state laws.\u00a0 The debate is over HR bill 5326, the bill that determines the funding for the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the reform conversation has revolved around protests and ballot initiatives.\u00a0 While these have been successful, ballots to change the law have not been able to protect caregivers from federal raids.\u00a0 It is only recently that our elected officials have decided to push the issue and get more creative.\u00a0 Many of us are familiar with the popular legalization bill proposed by <a href=\"http:\/\/frank.house.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\">Barney Frank<\/a> (D-Mass) and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ronpaul.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ron Paul<\/a> (R-TX).\u00a0 The bill was met with predictable opposition, but at least kept the issue in the spotlight.\u00a0 An attempt to defund the DOJ is a new method being utilized by lawmakers and may be a more effective way to frame the discussion.\u00a0 If deficit spending continues to dominate the campaign coverage then saving money on raiding marijuana dispensaries should match the national financial conversation in step.<\/p>\n<p>Like the ghosts of a haunted past, marijuana reform is rearing its pretty head everywhere.\u00a0 The president has been taking criticism on marijuana policy seemingly everywhere he goes.\u00a0 Foreign leaders (<a href=\"http:\/\/articles.cnn.com\/2011-07-26\/world\/mexico.drugs_1_drug-cartels-drug-policy-drug-violence?_s=PM:WORLD\" target=\"_blank\">Vicente Fox<\/a>), domestic allies (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/03\/nancy-pelosi-medical-marijuana_n_1474854.html\" target=\"_blank\">Nancy Pelosi<\/a>), presidential candidates (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/politics\/archive\/2012\/05\/gary-johnson-and-the-end-of-marijuana-as-a-fringe-issue\/256565\/\" target=\"_blank\">Gary Johnson<\/a>), comedians( <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/28\/jimmy-kimmel-whcd-pot_n_1462140.html\" target=\"_blank\">Jimmy Kimmel<\/a>), evangelicals (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/8301-201_162-57393466\/pat-robertson-marijuana-should-be-legal\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pat Robertson<\/a>) and of course patients seeking pain relief are all voicing their opinion in support of cannabis reform.\u00a0 Now that politicians on a national stage are starting to support compassionate reform, hopefully they will use even more creativity in trying to pass legislation that will finally end a century long error.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1145,110,52,1146,796,1147,1148,56,9,51,70,106,180,125,126,1,3,1149,61],"tags":[3715,2688,2632,3716,3369,3717,3718,2636,2631,5,2684,2758,2703,2704,3719,6],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1168"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1168\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}