U.S. Deputy Lawyer General James Cole issued a new memo that has healthcare marijuana dispensary owners worried. President Obama’s Justice Department has issued a new memo that is bound to impact the 16 medical marijuana states.
Previously, The Obama administration signaled that it would not use the Justice Division sources to prosecute healthcare marijuana sufferers and caregivers. U.S. Deputy Lawyer Dan Ogden issued a memo that that the Obama administration did not want to use precious sources to target marijuana dispensaries and patients if they had been obeying state law.
The U.S. Department of Justice has now reversed its position and indicated that it will prosecute medical marijuana patients and dispensaries. This stunning reversal has the healthcare marijuana sufferers and dispensaries in an up roar. The minimum punishment below the federal program is a mandatory five years in prison.
Under the prior Dan Ogden memo, marijuana dispensaries flourished. In the state of Colorado, dispensaries opened at an astonishing price. Before the Ogden memo there have been only 12 marijuana dispensaries in the state of Colorado. Right after the Ogden memo, the quantity of dispensaries raise to over 800 through out the state of Colorado.
Medical marijuana sufferers and dispensary owner are feeling betrayed with president Obama’s new stance toward health-related marijuana. On the campaign trail in 2008, Obama personally stated that he would not use the Justice Department to target healthcare marijuana sufferers and their caregivers as lengthy as they were complying with state laws. The marijuana community is now below attack and in a state of panic.
Marijuana dispensary owners are now on code red alert. At any time, the federal government came come and shut them down. They are organizing with their patients to protest and raids that may occur from any federal agencies. These plans incorporate possessing sufferers show up during any raids with picket sign to aid bring focus to this new policy. Individuals are encouraged to get in touch with their neighborhood media, tv station, radio station and to video tape any law enforcement encounter.
Will this do any very good? Only time will tell but its far better than just staying under the radar and hoping factors will modify. The medical marijuana movement has had to fight every single step of the way and they are not about to quit now. They only way to attempt to acquire traction is to bring this new position to the public.
The dispensary owners are attempting to force the government out of the medicine cabinets of their individuals. wholesale marijuana face severe consequences to continue to serve their individuals. Undoubtedly, there will be some dispensary owners that will shut down and close shop. But there will be these that step up to the challenge and open and expand their present operation.