The DEA Is Getting Dragged 'Kicking and Screaming' Into the New World of Marijuana

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/36943-the-dea-is-getting-dragged-kicking-and-screaming-into-the-new-world-of-marijuana

The advocacy community has suggested that DEA’s statement that they would decide on the Gregoire-Chaffee rescheduling petition this summer is a sign that they are moving toward reforming policy with regard to marijuana,” Hudak told Business Insider, referring to a 2011 petition from Govs. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and Christine Gregoire of Washington state.

“The reality is that DEA’s statement offers no such signal,” Hudak said. “The petition has been before the US government for about five years, and DEA has an obligation to rule with the regard to a basic question: Is cannabis properly scheduled?”

The DEA has reviewed marijuana’s classification in the past, deciding in 2001 and 2006 to keep the drug at Schedule 1 — putting it ahead of drugs like cocaine, meth, oxycodone, and anabolic steroids, all of which are on Schedule II or III (though legal penalties related to those drugs differ).

“I would be surprised if DEA recommended rescheduling,” Hudak said.

Statements from the DEA’s acting chief would seem to back up Hudak’s impression.

“What really bothers me is the notion that marijuana is also medicinal — because it’s not,” acting DEA chief Chuck Rosenberg said in November 2015.

“We can have an intellectually honest debate about whether we should legalize something that is bad and dangerous, but don’t call it medicine — that is a joke.”

Rosenberg and the DEA seem wedded to this position despite pushback by scientists and changing public opinion.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Retrograde hacks...

If tobacco and alcohol are legal, why not weed? It is demonstrably safer.

Perhaps it's still scheduled because it is safer. And gets you high.

[Locrian]

2. incompetent

“What really bothers me is the notion that marijuana is also medicinal — because it’s not,” acting DEA chief Chuck Rosenberg said in November 2015.

“We can have an intellectually honest debate about whether we should legalize something that is bad and dangerous, but don’t call it medicine — that is a joke.”


Anyone who believes this is either incompetent, willfully stupid, or corrupt to money trying to keep it illegal for profit.
Wait - I take that back. It's not "either".

These guys need to be fired NOW. And then forced to apologize to every cancer (and many other ailments it helps) patients that have been denied help. This really burns me - and I'm EXTREMELY disappointed with Obama first appointing and then not canning this turd.

[canuckledragger]

4. The guy is lying through his teeth.

And HE is the one that isn't being intellectually honest and projecting that attitude onto his opponents.

You're right. He, along with the others that choose to ignore facts and reality should be fired.

[Dustlawyer]

7. K&R!!! ^^^This^^^!!!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Salary

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”
― Upton Sinclair, I, Candidate for Governor: And How I Got Licked

[billhicks76]

5. They Make A Living Off Of Ruining Families

Over a harmless herb. They are frat boys with guns gone wild.

[Fritz Walter]

6. Follow the money

As long as law enforcement agencies can seize assets -- cash, property and even real estate -- under the guise of enforcing drug laws, they are going to resist any change to current, antiquated policies and schedules. This breeds corruption at local, state and federal levels.

And standing right behind them is Big Pharma -- who really can't stand the competition.

Meanwhile, children with seizure disorders, adults with chronic pain, patients undergoing chemotherapy and others either continue to suffer, or risk imprisonment and forfeiture of assets if they avail themselves of a natural, proven medicinal herb.

[Dustlawyer]

8. The Law Enforcement Lobby is the most powerful opponent to legalization of pot.

They have the most to lose if it is legalized. They would not need as many cops, as big of budgets, and as you said, the asset seizures help to buy them toys and support small town government. This is what they are protecting, the right for a legal "gang of thugs" to shake down citizens! Private prisons and private jails play their part in this mess too. When you give a corporation a profit motive in criminal justice you have introduced a virus into the justice system! Our system is now chronically ill. The antibiotic for this is legalization!

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Chuck Rosenberg is an idiot, a liar and a cruel fool. His appointment a grand disappointment

It is very hypocritical for Obama to be involved in such anti cannabis actions when he smoked so much himself and became the President of the US.
Parents move to States with legal cannabis so their kids can live without seizures but the DEA says those kinds need to have those seizures to please Chuck and to prove how smart Chuck is. 'If that child is not seizing and suffering, God is angry!!!!'

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

10. Congress clears way for Vets to get medical MJ

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/medical-marijuana-veterans-congress_us_573de75de4b0646cbeec57ed


"The Veterans Equal Access Amendment, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, effectively strikes down a Department of Veterans Affairs restriction on its doctors recommending medical marijuana as treatment for veterans experiencing pain, PTSD or other conditions. Under current regulations, veterans had to seek these recommendations outside of the VA system and pay out of pocket for the related expenses. "

[mountain grammy]

11. The DEA has been corrupt and out of control since it began under

Harry Anslinger, a vile individual who would lock up his own brother for disagreeing with him. Anslinger was a bigot and for 32 years, used his position of power to shape and enforce racist drug laws, and the newest DEA head is just following the company line. The perpetuation of the drug war keeps the DEA in business.