U.S. Deputy Attorney Basic James Cole issued a new memo that has health-related marijuana dispensary owners worried. President Obama’s Justice Division has issued a new memo that is bound to impact the 16 health-related marijuana states.
Previously, The Obama administration signaled that it would not use the Justice Department sources to prosecute health-related marijuana sufferers and caregivers. U.S. Deputy Lawyer Dan Ogden issued a memo that that the Obama administration did not want to use precious resources to target marijuana dispensaries and sufferers if they were obeying state law.
The U.S. Division of Justice has now reversed its position and indicated that it will prosecute health-related marijuana sufferers and dispensaries. This spectacular reversal has the medical marijuana individuals and dispensaries in an up roar. The minimum punishment beneath the federal technique is a mandatory 5 years in prison.
Under the previous Dan Ogden memo, marijuana dispensaries flourished. In the state of Colorado, dispensaries opened at an astonishing price. Prior to the Ogden memo there were only 12 marijuana dispensaries in the state of Colorado. Immediately after the Ogden memo, the quantity of dispensaries boost to more than 800 through out the state of Colorado.
Health-related marijuana sufferers and dispensary owner are feeling betrayed with president Obama’s new stance toward health-related marijuana. On the campaign trail in 2008, Obama personally stated that he would not use the Justice Division to target healthcare marijuana patients and their caregivers as extended as they have been complying with state laws. The marijuana community is now below attack and in a state of panic.
Marijuana dispensary owners are now on code red alert. At any time, the federal government came come and shut them down. They are organizing with their patients to protest and raids that may perhaps occur from any federal agencies. These plans incorporate possessing patients show up in the course of any raids with picket sign to enable bring attention to this new policy. Sufferers are encouraged to speak to their nearby media, tv station, radio station and to video tape any law enforcement encounter.
Will this do any good? Only time will tell but its improved than just staying beneath the radar and hoping issues will change. The medical marijuana movement has had to fight each and every step of the way and they are not about to stop now. They only way to try to gain traction is to bring this new position to the public.
The dispensary owners are trying to force the government out of the medicine cabinets of their patients. They face severe consequences to continue to serve their individuals. Undoubtedly, there will be some dispensary owners that will shut down and close shop. But there will be vice city market that step up to the challenge and open and expand their existing operation.