Conflicts between State and Federal Marijuana Laws

Senate Judiciary Committee:
Conflicts between State and Federal Marijuana Laws
Marijuana hearings…. and Sabet

This Tuesday, September 10, at 2:30 pm Eastern, there will be a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee: Conflicts between State and Federal Marijuana Laws

That last name on the list surely provokes a WTF? from a lot of folks. I mean, really. Kevin Sabet? What makes him a relevant witness on the subject of the conflicts between state and federal laws? Nothing. He’s not knowledgeable about the legal or political issues. He’s not an expert on the states involved, and certainly not one on marijuana.

But he’s got a credit of having worked for the ONDCP, is willing to whore himself out whenever marijuana is mentioned (and seems to have unlimited time to do so), and has an opinion that is in relatively short supply these days (that marijuana should remain illegal). He also has the ability to present himself as a sane person, as opposed to a majority of the other prohibitionists out there. I’ve seen Peter Bensinger testify — you expect there to be a nurse handy to change his diaper. Crazies like Betty Sembler and Calvina Faye? Lots of historical baggage. Kevin may be peddling shit, but it’s shit in a suit.

I know there are some who feel that ignoring him is the best approach, but as long as he is interviewed in every mainstream media piece about marijuana, that’s really not an option. Check out this recent piece

That last statement is an out-and-out lie. In fact, the CSA was set up so that executive branch agencies were the ones to add or remove drugs from the list. Or maybe Kevin actually is that stupid — after all, he’s not interested in the truth — he’s simply going to use anything in his arsenal to make a point.

Recently, Kevin got a major piece in the Christian Science Monitor: 7 big myths about marijuana and legalization. This is essentially a condensed version of his book: “Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana

Yes. I have read his book. If I’m going to continue criticizing him, I’ve got to know what he’s saying. I’m certainly not suggesting that anyone else do so, however, because it’s not a pleasant experience.

Here are his seven myths in a nutshell; full analysis at drugwarrant

Cannabis Culture ‏@CannabisCulture
Senator Leahy Says
Feds Shouldn't 'Waste Time' on State Marijuana Laws

Leahy Wants Administration To Clarify MJ Laws
Sen. Patrick Leahy wants top Obama administration officials to clarify how conflicting state and federal marijuana laws should be handled. The Vermont Democrat announced Monday that he's invited Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole to address the issue at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing next month to discuss the conflict in statutes in the aftermath of Washington and Colorado legalizing marijuana for recreational use in November and 19 states and the District of Columbia allowing the drug to be used for medicinal purposes.

Broad Coalition Seeks Capitol Hill Hearings on DEA
Sep 6 2013
Groups ask Congress to review DEA use of NSA and CIA programs to spy on Americans

25 Years Ago DEA’s Administrative Law Judge Ruled Cannabis Should Be Reclassified
"By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within a supervised routine of medical care.”

The People Who Profit from Marijuana Prohibition are Upset with the DOJ dwr

Go to Hell Dung Worrier Sabet, ecp
You'll be among lots of friends.
Drug Worrier Kevin Sabet Gets Punk'd ecp

Cover-Ups, Prevarications, Subversions & Sabotage ecp
Money Grubbing Dung Worriers
Forfeiture $quads



Drug War under fire msnbc
Kevin Sabet seems to be making a career out of providing quotes to media in support of the drug war, and is quoted in this article for no apparent reason.

Drugwar Lies Linked to Schizophrenia ecp

After years trying to convince us
that cannabis caused schizophrenia,
it now transpires that it actually cures it.

The Drug Worriers Should Be Busted by the (HUAC)
House Committee on Un-American Activities ecp

Drug mishandling may have tainted 40,000 cases ecp
NIDA's Nutty Nora's Tax Paid Gossip ecp
Andrea Barthwell has resurfaced in Ohio ecp.

Now They're Coming For The 1st? ecp
Drug War Killings ecp

Here Are All The People
Who Have Died From A Marijuana Overdose
via @HuffPostPol

People Killed By The War On Drugs
via @HuffPostPol SSDP ‏@SSDP

The drugs bubble no one can burst:
lots on harms, zero on how prohibition causes it.
TransformDrugPolicy ‏@TransformDrugs

☮Dr. Lester Grinspoon M.D.
☮Benefits of Marijuana : Grinspoon Speech in Washington DC

Tod H. Mikuriya, M.D.
☮ Drug Wars: Menace to America
☮The Other War
☮Safe Use of Cannabis
☛ Dependency and Cannabis
☛ Medicinal Uses of Cannabis

☮From The Natural Mind by Dr. Andrew Weil

☮William F. Buckley Requiescat In Pace
☛ Lost political causes
☛ Is marijuana fear a myth?
☛ McWilliams at bat
☛ ON THE RIGHT: THE DEA STRIKES BACK!
☛ Perjury everywhere?

The ‘Virtues’ of Ganja
☛ The Politics of Pot

 

Senate Hearing on Federal-State Marijuana Law Conflict

Conflicts Between State and Federal Marijuana Laws — follow this link for the live webcast. Also live on C-Span.org.

Today (Tuesday) at 2:30 pm Eastern, 1:30 Central, 11:30 am Pacific.

Please limit comments on this post to discussion of, and reporting on, the hearing and related items.

* Kevin Sabet’s written testimony for the hearing
* Seven Questions the ‘Senate Cannabis Committee’ Should Ask the Obama Administration – good questions!

 

Cannabis Culture ‏@CannabisCulture
Seven Questions the 'Senate Cannabis Committee' Should Ask the Obama Administration http://www.cannabisculture.com/cont...bis-Committee-Should-Ask-Obama-Administration

SSDP ‏@SSDP
Thank you John Urquhart (Sheriff of King County, WA) for your remarks today! We couldn't have said it better... http://fb.me/1EL6PR3VM

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
Sen Whitehouse asks about not prosecuting banks over marijuana business -- Cole says only if a fed enforcement priority comes up.

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
Deputy AG Cole: Preemption lawsuit not a good idea because marijuana would be legal in CO and WA but with no regs. http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari …

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
Sen. Grassley: "Marijuana is a dangerous and addictive drug....we could see a Starbucks of marijuana..." http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari …

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
"I don’t think federal prosecutors should be pursuing low level users of marijuana complying with [state law]." http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
The issue of access to banking services has been raised throughout the hearing, both by senators and by witnesses. http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
Kevin Sabet finds Deputy AG Cole's recent guidance "disturbing," says admin should stop Big Marijuana. http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
King County Sheriff Urquhart: "My experience shows me the drug war has been a failure... I support I-502. http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari

StoptheDrugWar.org ‏@stopthedrugwar
Cole is done. Now for King County WA sheriff, a Colorado official, and Kevin Sabet. http://stopthedrugwar.org/speakeasy/2013/sep/10/senate_judiciary_committee_heari

Drug Policy Alliance ‏@DrugPolicyNews
Sheriff Urquhart: 35 years in law enforcement, 12 of which in narcotics, and he SUPPORTS legalization/regulation!

Drug Policy Alliance ‏@DrugPolicyNews
Sens. Whitehouse & Blumenthal are on the right track - the marijuana industry needs the same protections as other legitimate businesses.

Drug Policy Alliance ‏@DrugPolicyNews
Sherriff John Urquhart says "the war on drugs has been a failure." Wants to be able to enforce new marijuana laws and respect will of voters

Drug Policy Alliance ‏@DrugPolicyNews
Public interest for today's Senate marijuana hearing was so overwhelming they had to move the hearing room! And still couldn't fit everyone!

Drug Policy Alliance ‏@DrugPolicyNews
No good hashtag out there, but search "senate marijuana" and click on "All" to follow the conversation. Watch live: http://1.usa.gov/15SXKKm

NORML ‏@NORML
"For the 1st time in modern history, members of US Congress were testifying to the merits of cannabis legalization” - http://blog.norml.org/2013/09/10/fe...not-likely-challenge-state-legalization-laws/ …

MPP Marijuana Policy ‏@MarijuanaPolicy
WA sheriff: once marijuana is sold in regulated stores, people will no longer solicit marijuana from "sketchiest guy on the block"

Just Say Now ‏@JustSayNow
DOJ Admits Regulated Marijuana Industry can be Preferable to the Black Market http://bit.ly/1fWyzML via @JustSayNow

Just Say Now ‏@JustSayNow
DOJ Claims It Is Trying to Address the Problem of Marijuana Banking http://bit.ly/1fX1dgy via @JustSayNow

Neill Franklin ‏@NeillFranklin
I applaud the courage of Sheriff Urquhart. Thank you Sheriff!

Neill Franklin ‏@NeillFranklin
I encourage more law enforcement leaders to follow the lead of Sheriff Urquhart. Time to end this failed policy. @TheIACP

Neill Franklin ‏@NeillFranklin
Sheriff Urquhart testifies, "Respect the will of the people. Law enforcement has let them down. They want to try a new way."

Neill Franklin ‏@NeillFranklin
Sheriff Urquhart testifies, "The war on drugs has been a failure."

Neill Franklin ‏@NeillFranklin
DOJ to address banking problems in CO & WA with regulators for #marijuana business owners. @SenatorLeahy hearing.

Neill Franklin ‏@NeillFranklin
Sen Leahy's hearing on #marijuanalegalization now underway. Should we allow legalization to move forward? @SenatorLeahy

ACLU National ‏@ACLU
HAPPENING NOW: Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on conflicts between state and federal #marijuana laws: http://1.usa.gov/14ykXFC

Marijuana Majority ‏@JoinTheMajority
Sheriff who supports #marijuana legalization testifying before US Senate. Says "war on drugs has been a failure." pic.twitter.com/LHaHl9mJ

ProCon.org ‏@procon_org
ProCon White Board:
►D.A.R.E. revenues dropping
►19 drone strikes in 2013
►More loans than grants for students http://bit.ly/proconfacts

algebra works ‏@colorsofalgebra
@JoinTheMajority for the #PrisonIndustry #KOCHBROTHERS war on drugs success but not for families

Diane Goldstein ‏@dianemgoldstein
California Medical Marijuana Regulation Bill Seeks To End Federal Crackdown http://newsle.com/article/0/92237686/

Russ Belville ‏@RadicalRuss
Senators seem to want to talk to the sheriff in Seattle and lawyer in Denver more than the rehabitionist @KevinSabet. http://rad-r.us/420RADIO

Dr. Bronner's Soaps ‏@DrBronner
Everyone part of the change on cannabis in the USA should check out http://c-span.org and be proud we're getting results.

Adam Eidinger ‏@aeidinger
Are you as glued to http://www.c-span.org/ #Senate Marijuana hearings as I am. History is being made it seems. @DrBronner @DCMJ2014

Patrick Gallahue ‏@PatrickGallahue
Prohibition of #marijuana has contributed to soaring #prison population in US and disproportionately affected minorities - Sen Leahy