DEA Report Expresses Profound Hatred of Marijuana and Activism
Everyone's talking about this DEA report from the summer that failed to make the rounds until now, probably because they didn't exactly send us our own autographed copies. It's called DEA Position on Marijuana, and as you'd guess from the title, it's as heavy a dose of hysterical anti-pot propaganda as anyone could ever cram into 50 pages.
This thing is a real page-turner if, like me, you actually sort of enjoy the hideous spectacle of desperate drug warriors defending their agenda. They spend 4 pages listing the various accomplishments of the "legalization lobby," and if it was even a page shorter, I might blockquote the whole section. It's that awesome. Otherwise, the report basically consists of cherry-picked data and a jumbo-size portion of anecdotal evidence that marijuana turns the world into a sewer.
One thing that jumped out at me, though, was this curiously contradictory description of federal policy on medical marijuana enforcement:
On October 19, 2009 Attorney General Eric Holder announced formal guidelines for federal prosecutors in states that have enacted laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The guidelines, as set forth in a memorandum from Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden, makes clear that the focus of federal resources should not be on individuals whose actions are in compliance with existing state laws, and underscores that the Department will continue to prosecute people whose claims of compliance with state and local law conceal operations inconsistent with the terms, conditions, or purposes of the law. He also reiterated that the Department of Justice is committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act in all states and that this guidance does not "legalize" marijuana or provide for legal defense to a violation of federal law.2 While some people have interpreted these guidelines to mean that the federal government has relaxed its policy on "medical" marijuana, this in fact is not the case. Investigations and prosecutions of violations of state and federal law will continue. These are the guidelines DEA has and will continue to follow.
Rather obviously, a policy of targeting operators who violate state law is implicitly acknowledging and upholding those very laws. It's a subtle, but significant, departure from the policy under Bush, and it has the effect of tacitly legitimizing state medical marijuana laws for the first time in the history of federal posturing on this issue. I'm not surprised to find DEA maneuvering to mitigate the perception that they've been ordered to stand down, but that's exactly what happened and everyone knows it. Federal raids on patients and providers haven't entirely vanished, but they're less of a concern in the industry than ever before and rightly so. Anyone who doesn't believe "the federal government has relaxed its policy" should check out what's happening in Denver, or Ann Arbor for that matter.
The great irony of all this is that the federal drug war army spends 50 pages explaining everything it hates about marijuana, but fails to address why or how it came to be the case that we've got dispensaries operating in a half dozen states despite their insistence that this isn't allowed. DEA makes it abundantly clear that they oppose marijuana and possess limitless legal authority to crush anyone who touches it, so why is the industrialization of the American cannabis industry able to make national headlines? Try as they might to frame the legalization movement as a fringe network of cynical stoners and sociopath philanthropists, the truth is that they'd have shut us out long ago if that's all we were. Marijuana policies are changing because public attitudes are changing and politics, unlike drug laws, can't be enforced at gunpoint.
aaaahahahahahahahaaa!!!
I love the way it points out that students that suffer from depression are more likely to use marijuana and then follows up by saying that students that use marijuana are more likely to commit suicide. All I can say is "DUH!?"
the silent genocide
The healthcare war on freedom
Before we sell out our freedom for their drug war, we must look at the facts that the talibomb is behind it, creating a repressive regime, carrying out a genocide targeting the decedent American, as they work to micro manage our lives, counting our calories, ripping off our couch potatoes and the smokers in the name of helping out these big fat losers.
The corruption of the medical monopoly and their medical science, the bases of their war; Is blatantly flawed and incomplete, delete a mans sugar and you will have a sugar addict then they can chase them around the world and all they need to do is rip him off $20.00 worth of donuts or weed and then they can have the taxpayer pick up the tab- “they are just distributing the criminal element” and with the new healthcare laws are just the start. With their high frequency sound they can make someone eat a bag of Stale potato chips and not even know it. They just don’t make designer steroid for the jocks, they just don’t lie about their fen fen or viox or make breathalyzer pills for the Europeans and they just don’t control the crave with their nicotine patch and Parkinson’s drug.
The European, Canadian, California and a lot of other medical establishments have recognized the genetic, neurological historical and natural rights of man. And yet the talibomb have continued with their assaults crime and violence as they try to tell us Thomas Edison must have stole the light bulb isn’t that what all criminals do, or that its just another immoral out in California that claims he cant get high off his weed so he has to do their chemicals they push on the street, give someone an undetectable pain make him pay endlessly for their incompetence and deny him the right to the power granted in the Christian bible and you can make a criminal out of him, you don’t think that they learned this from their Kentucky drug farm or their Edgewood when eliminating the immoral jazz musician?
With lasers needless air powered injectors sound and sensory deprivation the medical monopoly tricks and high technology can rob and assault you from a distance that you can not even see. How many more of our cities are going to be gutted, how much more crime and violence and our personal freedom will be lost by these talibomb subverting the true science?
Read more in the book about Christians and freedom @amazon.com
huh?
Dude, your comment doesn't make a lick of sense. And it really doesn't have much to do with what you're saying, although it kind of sounds like utter nonsense, but how you're saying it. Seriously, Edison? Lasers? Immoral jazz musicians? I mean, I love a good laugh and all, but something tells me you think you're actually saying something. Editing and brevity are your friends.
suicide and weed
The idea that people who are depressed use weed to feel better is obvious, it's completely out of context though to blame the weed if they commit suicide. i'm an exampel of that. i have bipolar disorder and adhd and depression and long before i ever smoked pot i have thought of taking my own life. in fact, smoking marijuanna has in fact made me think less about taking my own life, to blame the weed is rediculouse, that's like saying, people who have toothaches are more likely to take advil, and that means advil causes tooth aches? no you retards. no.
Unfortunatley for them their
Unfortunatley for them their employment is hanging in the balance. The lies that have been perpetuated are being exposed and they can't stand acknowledging the fact that they will eventually be without a job. Admit the lies, and look for a new job. Public sentiment is against you, even the religous leaders and politicains are starting to come over. It is only a matter of time, however my message to the faithfull: keep up the pressure their almost broken, they will mount a couple more last chance efforts and then the beast will lay dead.
Charles
Michigan is the next big MMJ state on this side of the country
I'm somewhat disappointed that the Flint area hasn't had as many dispensaries pop up as Lansing, Ann Arbor, or Detroit, but we're getting there. I'm confident that our state is going to show the midwest how medical marijuana can be done because everyone here loves the weed!
What to do?
What the hell is supposed to done about this? The DEA gets to twist the facts how they please, and people will read and believe it. Countless organizations, doctors, studies, etc. claim the contrary to this piece of crap, and yes its a piece of crap...http://www.justice.gov/dea/marijuana_position_july10.pdf go and look!
How can this be fought? What...they just get to say and think whatever they want...hypocrites.
Drug cops (and I assume DEA is involved, they usually are)
are resorting to out and out theft: http://www.theagitator.com/2011/01/20/so-how-is-this-different-from-armed-robbery/ and this is not the first or only time this has occurred, read the comments to this article, too.
It's What They Don't Say
The DEA points out:
"The FDA has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease."
Absolutely true. What they conveniently don't mention is that the FDA CANNOT approve marijuana as medicine because it is a Schedule 1 substance with no accepted medical use. A Schedule 1 substance cannot be approved by the FDA until it is removed from that schedule. But its Schedule 1 status cannot be changed until the FDA approves it. I believe that's a textbook example of a Catch 22.
It's hard to lose when you make up all the rules.
"....textbook example of a Catch 22.."
Yes, described as almost comic relief in an amicus filed in the Raich Case.... the odyssey of Prof Craker in trying to get MJ good enough to do research on. See http://supreme.lp.findlaw.com/supreme_court/briefs/03-1454/03-1454.mer.a...
"smoked mj"
To all,
The thing I noted is that the quote noted "smoked marijuana" is a class 1 drug, unapproved for use. Marinol is a non-class one cannabinoid, In those states that have cannabis to compare to the Marinol, it is felt, by the medical users, to be inferior to whole plant products. (although I saved a man with post-operative starvation from dead (necrotic) small bowel from venous thrombosis of the mesenteric veins, using Marinol.) These same geniuses (DEA) also deny that there are safer alternatives to smoking the product. They love to bring up their in publications that describe all of the carcinogens contained in cannabis smoke. Guess what DEA, you are way behind times. Consumption through alternative products is quickly becoming more popular. Consumers learned that by ceasing smoking of all plants decreased the carcinogens to ZERO!!!!! So, now they are trying to get substances like canna-butter, brownies, and similar items tagged with a higher mandatory minimum sentence! Just as in the case of them trying to drive us to drink, they also, want us to use the more dangerous form of smoked cannabis. That does not give me the impression that their first concern is our (their constituents) health!
Thus, their opinion on all of their information must be questioned. When they finally get involved with an intelligent discussion about all of the propaganda, then, and only then, will this insanity stop.
Reminds me about the fact that there certain scriptures, in the Bible that proved the earth was round years before Galileo was punished for saying so. What kind of epiphany is it going to take to convince them to stop acting like cave men and carry on intelligent evaluation of all of the available information?
Sincerely
MichaelG MD
under oath
They get to lie and twist information, in yet when we have to go to court...we are placed under oath to tell the truth. Hipocrits
The Great Irony
The great irony here is that if the DEA was actually smart they would have started a full campaign of refocusing on a different drug by now. The decriminalization and legalization of Cannabis is inevitable and you would think they would be smart enough to realize that if they want job security they better come up with a new "Threat." For a while there I thought they were going to do it with Meth but it never took off and again they started in with their war on the devils lettuce. Maybe they are actually stupid enough to think this issue will turn around and disappear. Either way they will have a great wake up call when the tipping point is hit in the coming year(s) and all the politicians who want to get re-elected realize support is past 50% and rising and surprise surprise they find all their political protection has joined the the call for regulation. It is like watching a car driving full speed at a brick wall while the driver is to distracted to stop, turn or even realize the coming disaster. I revel in it.
Above The Ignorance.
RE:
I think you under estimate the numbers of people who still buy into the propaganda against cannabis legalization. I fear the scales will tip back below 50% the closer we get to legalization. There will be a backlash from the religious fanatics and control freaks who want everyone to be like them. There will be an uproar about protecting our children, and none of them will realize that the drug war is what hurts our children. Even though cannabis has been illegal since 1937, more kids are doing it. Most politicians are out of touch with the American people. Yes, cannabis users are Americans too, and we should not be called criminals anymore.
The ignorance and intolerance baffles me, but the sad reality is that humans are ignorant, myself included. I do not pretend to know what is best, but I will not slip into the danger of combining my ignorance with intolerance. I do know that the current situation is not the answer, and that no one should judge and control the non-violent activities that people perform in their homes. Furthermore, I do not understand how anyone can think that individuals should not be allowed to choose their own paths in life.
In the past, I thought legalization was a matter of waiting for prohibitionists to die off, but new generations of them are born out of the old. The only way is to get legalization is for cannabis consumers (medical and recreational) to register to vote, and choose candidates that support full legalization. Not mere medical use and decriminalization. I fear that smokers will not answer the call, and continue to believe that others will fight the good fight. I enjoy the support I see on NORML, StopTheDrugWar, and MPP, but there needs to more support.
I see it differently
I would have to disagree. I believe the most effective way to win is actually the means by which we are going. There was a very large time between when slavery was abolished and when African Americans gained rights. Most people believe that the way to legalization is by electing one person who will force it through, never in the history of any movement has this been the case. There are moments that we can say where prodigious in their impact but that one moment did not cause the change, it merely catalyzed it or finalized it. One of the reasons we have seen such a jump in the percentage of people who support legalization is because of the slow progress we have made. As you said, many people are ignorant and intolerant but that is actually what makes this method so effective. People who do not use logic or reason but instead rely on emotional response are the easiest to swing support for or against something. Ever since prohibition started prohibitionist have been making outlandish claims because they had no reason not to. Why not say that everyone who smokes will become addicted if you believe you can ensure the fear will keep people from finding out you are a liar. All of these outlandish claims are now backfiring on them specifically because we have medical marijuana. As much as no one wanted to support cannabis legalization in 1996 even less people wanted to deny the sick and the dying something to sooth their pain. Medical use became legal and then it started to happen. All the people who honestly believed that if cannabis use was legal it would turn their city into a haven of drug addicts saw that people where using cannabis and this wasn't happening. Every catch phrase and outlandish claim is now being thrown back at the prohibitionists and there is nothing they can do to prove they are not wrong. All the ignorant and intolerant people are still ignorant and intolerant but it is starting to be redirected towards the people they feel have lied to them. Beyond that there is one great difference now that did not exist 20 years ago? The internet. Before the internet anyone could say anything and get away with it, no way to research knowledge. Now if you want to learn about the dangers of cannabis and you search the internet you will more then likely find yourself on a page explaining the lack of dangers. I cannot tell you how many people I have met who were pro drug war through and through till the starting looking things up on the internet. look at the polls for support of the legalization of cannabis since the inception of the drug war and you will notice a point at which support started to sky rocket and has been ever since. That is around the time of the internet generation, the first adults born and raised using the internet. Freedom of information is our most powerful weapon. Beyond that, all things follow a natural order or progress and if you compare the movement to legalize cannabis to any of the other movements for equality you see a trend. Until the tipping point, more then 50% support by the people, was reached it was in impossibility, everyone laughed at (in much the same way as when Obama laughed at it). As soon as the tipping point was reached there was a very quick landslide of support followed by legislation and in a flash it was over. Look at the Civil Rights Movement to End Segregation in Public or even the repeal of Alcohol Prohibition. History shows up that even 2 months before the rectification of the 21st amendment members of congress where quoted saying "There is a better chance of a dragonfly traveling to Mars with the empire state building tied to its tail." that was 2 months before it happened. Many people believe politicians support prohibition because they believe in it, I again would have to disagree. Many politicians support it because the can profit from it while being re-elected because the people support it. We have seen plenty of politicians sell their cash cows up the river when public sentiment changed and they realized they could not get re-elected and profit at the same time. The people you are concerned about believe what they are told by their politicians. Politicians believe in power and money. When the winds of profit change they follow. When it becomes too costly politically and financially to support prohibition, as it is continuing to do, politicians start to change. We have already seen a change in the crack/powder cocaine sentencing, an event the GOP said they would never let happen not even ten years ago. In hindsight we remember change as being quick, in reality it is slow until the end.
Keep up the support, no matter which one of us is correct. Both our paths will lead us to the same sea.
Metta
Jules
Thank you for disagreeing with me.
Believe me, I hope you are right. In that, there will be a slow shift in the American position to the point that legalization is the only thing that makes sense. Your points about the internet spreading the truth and people discovering that prohibitionists have been liars are right on. Furthermore, I am glad you mentioned how Obama laughed at the thought of legalization. He was all about being fair, having a rational debate, and letting science do the talking when he was a senator of IL. (My state) I am disappointed he sold out and put that horrible woman as the head of the DEA. This brings me to the one problem I have with your position. "Politicians believe in money and power." Those who have smoked know that there is much money to be made with cannabis. However, I have a real problem with economic arguments. I do not want cannabis to be legalized because of money and power. It should be about human rights, morality, and the right to exercise a flicker of freedom. It is similar with issues in environmentalism, politicians debate over what environmental policies are most cost effective. They should be talking about saving the environment for the sake of itself and the betterment of all species on the planet. Alas, it is as you said, it is really all about power and money. As I said, ignorance and intolerance are dangerous ways of thinking and along with those, power and money as motivation makes it even worse.
You are right, in the case of cannabis; both the economic arguments of yours and moral arguments of mine will lead to the same goal. However, do you not believe that cannabis, the mental shift, and lifestyle are about being driven by things other than money and power? I am all about having nice things, working a full-time job, and raising a family, but I want it through peace and goodness, not money and power, even though I have to give in to such things to some extent. Again, thanks for response.
Thank you for disagreeing
I hope you are right. In that, there will be a slow shift in the American position to the point that legalization is the only thing that makes sense. Your points about the internet spreading the truth and people discovering that prohibitionists have been liars are right on. Furthermore, I am glad you mentioned how Obama laughed at the thought of legalization. He was all about being fair, having a rational debate, and letting science do the talking when he was a senator of IL. (My state) I am disappointed he sold out and put that horrible woman as the head of the DEA. This brings me to the one problem I have with your position. "Politicians believe in money and power." Those who have smoked know that there is much money to be made with cannabis. However, I have a real problem with economic arguments. I do not want cannabis to be legalized because of money and power. It should be about human rights, morality, and the right to exercise a flicker of freedom. It is similar with issues in environmentalism, politicians debate over what environmental policies are most cost effective. They should be talking about saving the environment for the sake of itself and the betterment of all species on the planet. Alas, it is as you said, it is really all about power and money. As I said, ignorance and intolerance are dangerous ways of thinking and along with those, power and money as motivation makes it even worse.
You are right, in the case of cannabis; both the economic arguments of yours and moral arguments of mine will lead to the same goal. However, do you not believe that cannabis, the mental shift, and lifestyle are about being driven by things other than money and power? I am all about having nice things, working a full-time job, and raising a family, but I want it through peace and goodness, not money and power, even though I have to give in to such things to some extent. Again, thanks for response.
What a pile of misleading,
What a pile of misleading, disinformative rubbish. Most of the examples they cite in the report prove nothing about cannabis -- they're simply facts. I'm particularly baffled by the list of all the ways the MMJ movement has succeeded. What does the DEA gain by printing this information? Is it an effort to frighten conservative readers by giving the impression that the movement is more widespread than they think? If so, why does the report go to such pains to downplay the movement's influence? There are so many examples of complete dishonesty and suggestive lies by omission that I couldn't even pick one to post here. I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable than I will write a thorough examination of this report and all the ways it seeks to blind the public with trickery, scare tactics and outright falsehoods.
Just Wait
I don't believe for a min. that Holder didn't give the DEA and DOJ a wink and a nod along with the Memo. I live in SoCal. and they are still busting dispensaries and growers up on a daily basis. Just this week the FBI arrested 115 Mafia types for crimes going back 3 decades. During Obamas first 4 yrs could be used just to collect info for indictments. After his re-election he won't feel the need for the Liberal pot smoking base. I believe we may just see a huge amount of arrests made on all that evidence.
All the US Attys in Cal. have stated they have not let up in the least. In fact I bet if someone looked they have probably stepped up arrests of lower amounts which they used to ignore.
The real test will come soon as the city of DC trys to roll out their Medical Marjiuana Dispensaries and "scripts". If it wasn't so sad it might just be funny to watch, kinda like the Keystoned Cops.
Cranky
the money goes 2 ways
One saving grace might end up being purely a fiscal issue.. Some day they will run out of funds through public channels to pay for the constant, on-going, never-ending, so-called 'war' to continue. So I wish it, plezzz grant my wish oh mighty bud in the heavens.
watch your back, keep the faith and vote too !
BTW, it's neat to have the spell check working on this drupal powered website.
Drupal 7 has a setting for the (not verified) thingy on anonymous posts.
"It is difficult to get a man
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something
when his salary depends on his not understanding it."
- Upton Sinclair
No matter what holder says,
No matter what holder says, the results are in. Since the government are covering up their studies, independent studies have been done and they are exceptional. http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=8459
I don't know if he is plain stupid or the doesn't want another term in offce.
Conflicts of Interest
The DEA has a glaring Conflict of Interest in these matters.
The FACTS overwhelmingly support the legalization of Cannabis/Hemp in ALL of its uses.
The time has come to END they tyranny of the DEA, which is yet another branch of the Military Industrial Complex. Abuse of power should warrant IMMEDIATE removal from power.
The "War on Drugs"...the Prohibition of Cannabis is based on economics. If you analyze the major money players who would be affected, you soon realize how much corruptive influence they have in D.C.:
Monsanto, Petroleum, Petro-Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, Wood Industry...all the various economic players who's market value would be impacted by the myriad uses of cannabis/hemp. Law is not intended to falsely inflate economic value of corporate interests, no matter how much money they use to corrupt the government.
The war
They wanted a war on drugs & they got one. As absurd as it sounds, that's the bottom line. War is business. War is profits for blood. War is obsolete. The war is on you & your rights, freedoms, & health. They will force their toxic pharmaceuticals on you rather than admit the earth provides a natural, non-toxic version. They will force weak cotton fabrics on you rather than durable, long lasting Hemp. They will force toxic oil on you rather than hemp oil for our vehicles. [and/or cause a electricity crisis w/ electric cars] The hemp seed is the most nutritional option for feeding the world, but alas, they wont allow it, instead forcing less nutritional corn meal mush and wheat to poverty stricken countries. There is no way they will ever admit to the gargantuan greed they have lied to preserve all these years.
so angry
we have a dea office in canada, right here in vansterdam. I am so aggravated that these people will not tolerate the health and well being of the people who inhabit this continent. No we will not take your stupid pills to fix what ails us, and because of this they are trying to stomp out any beneficial plant that could help or heal us with little to no damage to our ecosystems, to or our body's, to our children and our elders. the next time i see cannabis damage someone i will stop smoking immediately, until then i hope we will continue to defy these feeble attacks from men hiding behind curtains, telling us that our mother earth has produced this plant to damage us, not to heal or enlighten.
there's little hope....
there's little hope of solving any of humanities future problems if we can't even end this truly insane prohibition of such a beneficial plant
DEA Manifesto on Cannabis
It’s one thing when a government lies. It’s something else when governments actually believe their own lies. The latter is verging on the psychotic. More likely, the DEA is displaying a cult-like behavior in which all doubters of official lies are to be punished. With its 53-page manifesto, the DEA and its minions have proven themselves a cult of true believers by laying out the groundwork of their ridiculous dogma for all the world to see.
Blaming George Soros, Ed Rosenthal, the MPP, and various billionaires for the unpopularity of the drug war is indicative of cult behavior that blames all things but itself for its own failures. Think Jonestown. The DEA’s performance in its duties would be hilarious were it not so utterly destructive to society. Aside from some drug dealing black-ops by the CIA, the DEA has no one to blame for their failures but themselves.
Prohibition feeds into winger, racist sentiments. Soros is a lightening rod for the religious right. In fingering Soros and other scapegoats for its own political benefit, the DEA fails to mention the 100-million-plus U.S. marijuana consumers who make up the revolutionary force fighting medical corporatism and undue infringements upon their personal freedoms. It’s not merely the fault of the philanthropists and activists who add focus to a massive public grievance against archaic government policies.
Giordano
drugs
our world is really going down. In my country are kids about 14 years old and are smoking this kind of cigaretts...they going insane
Really?
Hey Mobile Baca.
I heard that it was because your country was full of rapists and pedophiles! Either statement is not provable. Maybe your kids are being poisoned with Paraquat or cheese/heroin!
Just spouting off propaganda makes anyone, doing so, look foolish! I just had to play the fool today' There is no more truth to your statement than there is to mine!
Why do I suspect that "your country"
is the USA and your employer is the DEA? Agitprop lives!
Why are supporting marijuana
Why are supporting marijuana growth? Wait until you neighbor grows them, you idiot!
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