U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says that the Federal Government will continue the failed War on Drugs against citizens “even if such activities are permitted under state law” which is a huge possibility with Prop 19 coming up for vote. The Federal Government seems to forget that the 10th Amendment leaves certain things not prohibited by the Constitution “reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”. Congress had to pass the 18th Amendment to prohibit Alcohol, and the 21st to retract it. No such amendment has ever been passed in relation to Cannabis prohibition, which technically should leave it up to the states if they want to legalize and regulate it. Here are some links to the Original story, as well as some information on the communities reaction, what you can do to help California get this passed and information on supporting HR 2943, the Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults. This is the time, we must answer the call. Peace and Good Buds
Story on Washington Post: Feds oppose Calif. Prop 19 to legalize marijuana by Marcus Wohlson
” Attorney General Eric Holder is warning that the federal government will not look the other way, as it has with medical marijuana, if voters next month make California the first state to legalize pot.
Marijuana is illegal under federal law, which drug agents will “vigorously enforce” against anyone carrying, growing or selling it, Holder said. ”
Article by Steve Elliot over at tokeofthetown:
Atty. Gen. Holder To California: You Can’t Legalize Marijuana
“Holder sent a letter earlier this week to former heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in which he promised that the Justice Department would continue to enforce federal marijuana laws in California — even if the state’s voters approve Proposition 19, which would make marijuana legal for all adults 21 or older and allow localities to tax and regulate the sale of cannabis.
Holder seems to have forgotten that states are the laboratories of democracy in a federal republic — and he seems to have forgotten that he’s our Attorney General, not our daddy.”
Article by Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director on the NORML Blog: The Obama Administration Opposes Legalization — So Tell Us Something We Didn’t Already Know
“However, here’s what is noteworthy. Despite the claims of various Prop. 19 opponents that the measure is in ‘direct conflict‘ with federal law or is somehow ‘unconstitutional‘ and would thus be ‘preempted’ by the Feds, at no time today did the federal government challenge the fact that Californians have the legal right to determine their own marijuana policies. Rather, the federal government simply reinforced that they remain of the opinion that marijuana ought to be criminally outlawed — a position that is out-of-step with the American public’s sentiment.”
Yes on 19 Website to provide you with more info: http://yeson19.com/
Just Say Now Pledge to Call Voters for
Prop 19 This Weekend: http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/pnational/
Legislative Analyst’s Office Nonpartisan of the Fiscal Benefits of Prop 19: http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2009/090512.aspx
“Reduction in State and Local Correctional Costs. The measure could result in significant savings to state and local governments, potentially up to several tens of millions of dollars annually, by reducing the number of marijuana offenders incarcerated in state prisons and county jails. It could also reduce the number of persons placed on county probation or state parole. The county jail savings would be offset to the extent that jail beds no longer needed for marijuana offenders were used for other criminals who are now being released early because of a lack of jail space. ”
Contact Officials in support of HR 2943: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13568661&ref=nf
“The measure, HR 2943, an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” would eliminate federal penalties for the personal possession of up to 100 grams (three and one-half ounces) of cannabis and for the not-for-profit transfer of up to one ounce of pot – making the prosecutions of these offenses strictly a state matter.
Under federal law, defendants found guilty of possessing small amounts of cannabis for their own personal use face up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
Passage of this act would provide state lawmakers the choice to maintain their current penalties for minor marijuana offenses or eliminate them completely.”