August 29, 2013

"The Obama administration on Thursday said it would not sue to undo laws legalizing marijuana in 20 states..."

"... although it will monitor operations in those states to make sure they do not run afoul of several enforcement priorities."
In a memo sent to federal prosecutors nationwide on Thursday, James M. Cole, the deputy attorney general, laid out eight priority enforcement areas. They are aimed at preventing marijuana sales to children, illegal cartel activity, interstate trafficking of marijuana, and violence and accidents involving the drug.
But:
Last week, the White House said President Obama did not support changing federal laws regulating marijuana, which treat the drug as a highly dangerous substance with no medical purpose.

20 comments:

Matt Sablan said...

This is another thing Obama doesn't see any need for Congressional approval [and is, perhaps, technically right about. I'm too lazy to figure it out, and too petty not to take a cheap shot. Behold, I've laid my sins before you.]

jimbino said...

This country apparently no longer observes the "rule of law." What we have is the "rule of the executive," just like Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

chickelit said...

Isn't this another example of the Executive branch usurping Congress' role--refusing to enforce laws simply because they think they're wrong? I would think at some point it would provoke a Consitutional challenge.

Skipper said...

So, is there any federal law that's not at His Majesty's discretion?

Clayton Hennesey said...

Laws are more and more coming to be seen these days as imminent carriers of social disapprobation, as if they were diseased, coughing birds with disheveled feathers.

The enlightened politico will now instead rely upon moves, which when not needed in political confrontations can also be employed in many other social settings as well, such as on the dance floor.

Oso Negro said...

The Palin Adminstration said Thursday that it would not spend the money Congress appropriated for HUD.

Jim said...

I am so glad we got rid of that lawless cowboy Bush.

Cedarford said...

I am in favor of this. As a states rights matter. If some state votes to have a 70MPH speed limit, or wants 30 round magazines...what business is it of Feds to have "Federal laws and regs" that have nothing to do with enforcing the tattered Sacred Parchment or interstate commerce??

Same on grass.

Jim said...

I am so glad we got rid of that lawless cowboy Bush.

Hagar said...

A wish list of conditions that even the authors do not take seriously.

SteveR said...

The "turn about is fair play" result of this will be fun to watch. Of course SCOTUS is well position to rewrite the Constitution once HRC gets elected so never mind.

Gahrie said...

Just one more example of President Obama having neither guts, nor principle.

If he had any guts, he would push to eliminate federal laws against marijuana. If he had any principles, he would enforce federal law.

Titus said...

Nice to hear what the Palin Administration would do...as if that would ever become a reality.

I know devastating, but it aint going to ever happen.


But, fortunately, there will be another Reality Show on the horizon.

Anonymous said...

Splitting the difference and pissing off all sides, slowly trying to pull the country towards his ideals.

Giving lofty speeches.

Thanks Barry.

prairie wind said...

Splitting the difference and pissing off all sides, slowly trying to pull the country towards his ideals.

You know, I don't think he's trying to pull the country anywhere. He doesn't care what direction the country goes as long as he can do what he wants. Keeping us stirred up with the picayune...today's version of bread and circuses.

Gahrie said...

You know what the worst thing about the fact that President Obama can never run for president again is?

He's going to be an even worse ex-president than President Carter has been. Seriously ...think about it......hideous isn't it?

Steven said...

Well? The lawsuits would have lost anyway. States cannot be compelled to enforce Federal laws.

And of course you have to set priorities in law enforcement; any officer going after marijuana use is one that can't go after somebody committing some other crime, like terrorism.

The real joke here is that Obama thinks it's a good idea to keep marijuana illegal as if it were a dangerous substance, as opposed to one that a future President can safely use recreationally.

Kelly said...

The justice department is busy busting school choice and voter ID laws, they don't have time for something like drug laws.

Scott M said...

So...the federal government, by it's own rules, considers pot to be a highly dangerous substance but then turns a blind eye.

The environmentalists out there should be afraid. Very afraid.

Paul said...

Steven said
"Well? The lawsuits would have lost anyway. States cannot be compelled to enforce Federal laws."

But we are compelled to enforce Obamacare, right?