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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2009)
Page A3 October 21. 2009 Feds Won’t Target Medical Marijuana: When patients comply with state law (AP) -- Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should no, be targeted for fed eral prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, includ ing Oregon and Washington, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department. Under the policy spelled out in a three-page legal memo, fed eral prosecutors are being told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or pro vide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law. The guidelines issued by the department do, however, make it clear that federal agents will go after people whose m ari juana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes. The memo advises prosecu tors they "should not focus fed eral resources in your states on individuals whose actions are Dr. Michael Aldrich smokes medicinal marijuana during last month's annual convention of the National Organiza tion for the Reform o f Marijuana Laws (NORML) in San Francisco. in clear and unambiguous com pliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana." The new policy is a signifi cant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes. "It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are com plying with state laws on medi cal marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compli ance with state law to mask ac tivities that are clearly illegal," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement. By the government's count, 14 states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, H aw aii, M aine, M aryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washing ton. Some medical marijuana a d v o c a te s say M aryland shouldn't be included in that group, because the law there only allows for reduced penal ties for medical marijuana us age. California stands out among those for the widespread pres ence of dispensaries — busi nesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dis pensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the pro cess of licensing providers, ac cording to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of mari juana use. Advocates say marijuana is effective in treating chronic pain and nausea, among other ailments. Holder said in March that he wanted federal law enforcement officials to pursue those who violate both federal and state law, but it has not been clear how that goal would be put into practice. The memo spelling ou, the policy was sent Monday to fed eral p ro se c u to rs in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforce ment Administration. The memo written by Deputy Attorney General David Ogden em phasizes that prosecutors have wide discretion in choos ing which cases to pursue, and says it is not a good use of fed eral m anpow er to prosecute those who are without a doubt in compliance with state law. "This is a major step for ward," said Bruce Mirken, com munications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. "This change in policy moves the federal government dram ati cally toward respecting scien tific and practical reality." The change has critics, in cluding lawmakers who see it as a tactical retreat in the fight against Mexican drug cartels. "We cannot hope to eradi cate the drug trade if we do not first address the cash cow for most drug trafficking organiza tions — marijuana," said Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judi ciary Committee. Administration officials said the government will still pros ecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. In particular, the memo urges prosecutors to pursue m ari juana cases which involve vio lence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or involvement in other crimes. And while the policy memo describes a change in priorities away from prosecuting medical marijuana cases, it does not rule out the possibility that the fed eral government could still pros ecute someone whose activities are allowed under state law. The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to U.S. attorneys in the states that al low medical marijuana. It notes that pot sales in the United States are the largest source of money for violent Mexican drug cartels, but adds that federal law enforcement agencies have lim ited resources. H1NI Vaccines Run Low T he C e n te rs fo r D isease been reduced to 5,<XX) doses. With this smaller allocation, Control and Prevention said Friday that it anticipates 29 mil Public Health is limiting vaccine lion doses of H 1N 1 vaccine by administration to vaccine clin the end of the month instead of ics in several schools, childcare the 40 m illion originally ex centers and the Women, Infants pected. The manufacturing pro and Children clinic. “It’s very difficult to predict cess was slower than expected. As a result, the 19,400 doses how many doses will be avail anticipated for Clark County able in the weeks ahead. We and other southwest Washing know that this can create some ton communities this week has frustration for healthcare pro viders and anxiety for people wanting to get vaccinated. All of us are waiting for vaccine supply to increase,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Region IV Health Officer. As vaccine continues to ar rive, information will be posted a t FluN ew sSW W ashington.org. Residents can also call 877-661- 4951. sM Come find oui oi the &pu ltic u ltu r a l H ealthy K ids H ealthy H omes F mr , Local Students Give Back c la ssro o m c o lle c tin g cans. They said that the sixth grade Just after two weeks, they classrooms suspected them of gathered 2(X) cans from class stealing their cans, but once room s throughout the acad they u n d ersto od w hat they emy. They’ll use them to cook were doing they came together up soup that will be served to to work and listen. T he stu d en ts leading the needy people at Dawson Park food drive also learned to ap as weather gets cold. “ I th o u g h t th at p eo p le preciate what they have. They w eren’t really going to bring realized that they might not al anything, but they all had a lot ways have money to go to the of cans, so they brought them," mall, but they have food on the said Marlando Sparks, who was table at hom e, w hich many responsible for taking notes at people don’t. “I don't like seeing people on the student group’s committee meetings and making reports to the streets,” said Daytreiona Jackson, who handled public the school’s principal. Naiqwan Penn and Delmody ity for the food drive. But the work of the school. Tillman went from classroom to continued j ^ f r o m Front F where many students are no strangers to hunger, won’t stop with the food drive. Beginning in November, SEI will be holding a sock drive for needy people. The following month, students will partner with the Salvation Army to put together baskets of clothes, food, and toys for the month of December. “They’re not at that age when they're thinking about giving back. It’s usually when they go to college and come back to the community," said Green, who was impressed by the way the students met everyday. “ But they’re starting now. And this particular 8th grade class is re ally on point.” Fun Activities & Resources to Protect 3 >, Kids from Lead & Home Health Hazards African American Alliance for Homeownership Presents: 11 th ANNUAL HOMEOWNERSHIP FAIR Housing Resources Foreclosure Prevention 1* Time Homebuyer Programs Saturday, October 24, 2009 10:00am - 2:30pm Emanuel Hospital Atrium • 501 North Graham • Portland * FREE TO THE PUBLIC * Join us to access housing resources; Visit over 50 housing professionals, Attend a First-Time Homebuyer/Foreclosure Prevention Workshop; Learn how to qualify for the "Making Home Affordable Program"; Enter to win a $1,000 grant give-away & other great prizes!!! Just a reminder, always call before you dig. These days more and more power lines are locatec don’t know where they are. but we do. So before y arid call S il 48 I for fence posts o r installing underground spimklers Pre-registration is NOT required; Everyone is welcome W W W .AAAH.O RG 5 0 3 -5 9 5 -3 5 1 7 Sponsors Portland Development Commission. Portland Housing Bureau, State Farm Insurance. Bank of America. The Skanner News Group. Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Safeway, TriMet are buried could be a m atter of life and death. For more safety information visit pacificpower.net/safety ” PACIFIC PO W ER L e t’s tu rn the answ ers on.