A memo sent out from the white house this morning outlines a controversial but thrilling prospect.  Is Bush’s war on medicinal marijuana patients finally over? Today Obama released a three page statement clearly defining the priorities of federal agents in fourteen marijuana-friendly states. The Justice Department said it would not be a wise use of federal resources to go after “individuals with cancer or other serious illnesses who use marijuana as part of a recommended treatment regimen consistent with applicable state law.” “It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “But we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal,” Holder added. While I find this exciting, many people have shown to be skeptical of the news. The current law still allows some rather large loopholes to continue harassing legally documented patients and caregivers. The DEA’s intent to go after traffikers and criminals is muted by the fact that there are still legal dispensaries being busted and innocent people spending time in our corrupt prison systems. What does this mean? Simply put, patients and caregivers will not be arrested, so long as they are in accordance with state law. This does not mean marijuana is legalized or that people in states that do not allow marijuana as medicine can suddenly partake.  This is a step in the right direction, even if it is a baby step. The repeal of marijuana prohibition is closer than it has ever been, the times have indeed, Changed. But this is not the time to let your guard down as there are many battles still left to be fought. There will still be raids, under the guise of criminal activity. There will still be medicinal marijuana related arrests and injustices.  Now more than ever we must stand up for personal freedom and exercise our rights.

Thanks for bringing it to the table, Obama, But we all know you can do better than that.

© 2009 – 2010, AntiSoccermom. All rights reserved to the original author unless stated otherwise.

Chronic, Reefer, pot, toke, Ganja, herb, sticky icky, salad, green, tree, smoke, Acapulco Gold, cheeba, dank, nugs, maryjane, Mota, momma, spliff and stone. No matter what you know it by, it all stands for one thing.

Marijuana.

Allen St. Pierre Director of NORML stood on the steps of the General Post office in New York City Wednesday to deliver a check to the United States government. The check was a mock up and was not valued at the Fourteen Billion dollars it was made out for, but was being delivered as a statement from NORML . They said this “Marijuana Stimulus” money could be made from the combined taxation and tax savings revenue from regulating marijuana the same way that the government regulates the formerly prohibited but widely accepted, alcohol.

The fire under this topic has long been heating up and the government is feeling it. President Obama held an online town-hall meeting and the number one question posed for the president was if he would discuss regulating marijuana in order to generate revenue for the failing economy. He laughed the topic off, as any good president that is holding the hand of every housewife while lovingly stealing her wallet out there would, but the question remains a hot topic in almost every ring of media circus troupes. Allen St. Pierre wants to give the government $14 Billion and what does he want in return? “All we ask in exchange for our $14 billion is that our government respects our decision to use marijuana privately and responsibly.” Now, we all have our backgrounds that may or may not involve marijuana. I grew up around the stuff and it never seemed like a good idea to me. I was around people that smoked weed and it didn’t really seem to improve their lives very much and it certainly didn’t seem like a motivating substance. In recent years, I also have known some very influential, spiritual, and prominently wealthy and intelligent people that use marijuana for medical treatment. I do not care what you do on your time and certainly don’t care to talk about my free time with strangers, what I do care about is the ethical treatment of fellow human beings. Research your world, get some education on the topic and make a sound decision. If someone wants to roll it up and smoke it in the privacy of their own home, while also giving money to our fledging economy, I simply can’t see that being a bad thing. I believe people should make their own moral decisions, just as I don’t support abortion I certainly wouldn’t take that right away from someone who does. I believe marijuana will be legalized in my lifetime, and I believe that despite the best efforts of people like Allen St. Pierre, we still must voraciously protect our children from potential poisons like tobacco, alcohol, marijuana and any other borderline toxin that can easily be ingested. Allen, and his organization NORML support the responsibile use of marijuana, and defend their stance through their website and town meetings and by word of mouth. They are serious about marijuana and it isnt like they want it growing on every street corner and entering lunch boxes, if marijuana is abused it can be as dangerous as any other substance, alcohol included.

Marijuana Mistress Nancy Botwin, Showtime’s WEEDS

Marijuana is a hot topic right now in everything from politics and social sciences to sitcoms exploring the inner workings of the marijuana trade. Its not just water cooler talk and something old psychologists do in the cover of darkness. Its out in the open, let’s talk about it. By the way Allen, if you still have that check lying around, I will take it and you have my permission to use all the pot you want, so long as you aren’t bothering me or my family.

Does $14 Billion buy you the right to smoke pot in peace?

© 2009, AntiSoccermom. All rights reserved to the original author unless stated otherwise.