Medical Pot Sellers Will Be Prosecuted In Ore.

[bobandtorey]

Sale of marijuana in Oregon for any purpose, including medical use, is illegal and will be prosecuted, warned a tough-worded crackdown notice sent out Friday by U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton and 34 district attorneys from across the state.

 

“Oregon and federal law make it illegal to sell marijuana — period, end of story,” said Holton.

 

“The breathtaking surge in manufacture and distribution of marijuana in Oregon is putting marijuana in the hands of more and more healthy kids — and dispensaries are fueling this crisis,” he argued.

 

 

 

A “Notice to Owners, Operators and Landlords of Oregon Marijuana Dispensaries” spelled out in harsh Nixon-era language what appears to be a no-tolerance policy.

 

The Beaver State adopted, in 1998, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, which is designed to protect medical marijuana users from state criminal prosecution for pot possession.

 

But the voter-passed law “does not restrict seizure of marijuana plants, nor does it protect individuals or organizations from federal criminal prosecution” said the “Notice to Owners.”

 

“The sale of marijuana for any purpose — including as medicine — violates both Federal and Oregon law and will not be tolerated,” it added. “People and businesses that conduct sales of marijuana face the risk of prosecution, civil enforcement action and seizure of assets . . .”

 

“Prosecuting individuals and organizations involved in the cultivation and distribution of controlled substances, including marijuana, are core priorities of the United States Department of Justice.”

 

One name is notably absent from the notice — Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schrunk, whose jurisdiction includes Portland, the state’s largest population center.

 

In a letter to Holton, the Portland DA argued that “under present circumstances my understanding of the investigative priorities of local police agencies is that combating this cannot be termed a critical priority when balanced against others.”

 

District attorneys from Lane County, which includes the University of Oregon, as well as Washington and Clackamas Counties west and south of Portland signed the Notice.

 

A U.S. Department of Justice release, quoting local law enforcement, talked of an “outlaw atmosphere” and attacked medical marijuana dispensaries as fronts.

 

“Drug traffickers are hiding behind the medical marijuana law to protect their sham operations: We have to rein in this outlaw atmosphere before any kid can walk into a storefront on Main Street in any town in Oregon and buy marijuana illegally,” said Walt Begalu, District Attorney for Marion County (Salem) and president of the Oregon DA’s Association.

 

Attorney General Eric Holder, early in the Obama administration, indicated that the federal government would not make marijuana prosecution a top priority in states which have removed penalties for medical use of cannabis.

 

Holder, in Rhode Island Thursday, promised that the policy will be made more specific. “We’re going to bring clarity so that people understand what this policy means and how this policy will be implemented,” said the Attorney General.

 

The Oregon statement on Friday argued that its threats and warmings are “in keeping” with the guidance offered by Holder.

 

“That guidance articulates the Department’s balanced approach, which effectively focuses the limited federal resources on drug traffickers and organizations as opposed to individuals with serious illnesses who use marijuana as part of a recommended treatment . . .,” it said.

 

But, added the statement, “The guidance also makes clear that federal officials will not tolerate those who hide behind claims of compliance with state laws to mask activity that is clearly illegal.”

 

 

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/06/03/pot-sellers-will-be-prosecuted-in-oregon/

 

 

[peanutbutter]

I wonder why the children are more in danger now than during the last decade ..

[greenbuddha]

The harassments and arrests by the anti-MMJ agencies will eventually cause the voters to pass a 'full legalization' of the use of 'cannabis'.

 

It will be on the ballot in at least two states come the elections in 2012.

[MORE COWBELL]

The Razors edge...newspeak... your safe ...not really

 

my paranoia is worse now as a legal patient-i should be suing over the stress and suffering i am being caused by these GOONS!

[Iceman081]

The harassments and arrests by the anti-MMJ agencies will eventually cause the voters to pass a 'full legalization' of the use of 'cannabis'.

 

It will be on the ballot in at least two states come the elections in 2012.

 

 

Lets get it going here too!!!! They keep messing with this MM law so bad I guess this is our only recourse, lets get it on the ballot and vote on it!!!! I truely believe that if we had a push to get the younger generation out TO VOTE this would pass by a landslide. ITS TIME TO FREE THE WEED!!!!!! And Find out if our vote really does count>

[sarazorz]

I wonder why the children are more in danger now than during the last decade ..

 

Yeah seriously. If a kid wants to smoke some pot, they're gonna do it regardless of how or where they get their bag from. Kids have been doing this since the beginning of humanity. Experimentation is part of being human, it's a learning mechanism. Kids don't always do what they will because they are troubled, stubborn or unruly, it's often because they're smart and instead of following the flock they want to try things out for themselves. Governments use children to stir up fear in parents. "The kids, it's all about the kids!!!" Everyone knows that's a load of crap. It's all about control, and instilling fear in parents is a way of manipulation for that control. Governments don't like experimentation one bit because people who question them end up learning the truth: To not be a sheep in the flock, to question authority, and in the case of cannabis, to smoke it and realize that it's and absolutely harmless/medicinally useful miracle plant that saves people's lives.

 

Sorry for the rant. I can't say how discouraging it is reading articles like this. I read a lot of them, and every time it makes me want to run through the streets screaming PLANT THE LAND, or pack my bags and flee to Canada or something. *grumble*

[CedarSpringsCG]

Hmm, if I were a parent, would I prefer my kid smoking a joint once in a while at a party, or huffing glue or snorting bath salts? I think I would rather he smoked some pot.

 

I knew a kid that huffed a lot of glue. He has never been the same, it fried his brain to the point of no return all just to get a buzz. If he just had safe easy access to MJ, he would still be a productive member of society.

[sarazorz]

Hmm, if I were a parent, would I prefer my kid smoking a joint once in a while at a party, or huffing glue or snorting bath salts? I think I would rather he smoked some pot.

 

I knew a kid that huffed a lot of glue. He has never been the same, it fried his brain to the point of no return all just to get a buzz. If he just had safe easy access to MJ, he would still be a productive member of society.

 

I know, I would rather have my kid smoking pot than drinking or any other drugs.

[Croppled1]

very disturbing situation if public support for this exists leaving patients without safe , legal , inexpensive access solutions that keep money circulating in their local communities not the black market or overseas . .