Politics Sessions personally asked Congress to let him prosecute medical marijuana providers

[SlyPokerDog]

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is asking congressional leaders to undo federal medical marijuana protections that have been in place since 2014, according to a May letter that became public Monday.

The protections, known as the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, prohibit the Justice Department from using federal funds to prevent certain states "from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana."

In his letter, first obtained by Tom Angell of Massroots.com and verified independently by The Washington Post, Sessions argued that the amendment would "inhibit [the Justice Department's] authority to enforce the Controlled Substances Act." He continues:

I believe it would be unwise for Congress to restrict the discretion of the Department to fund particular prosecutions, particularly in the midst of an historic drug epidemic and potentially long-term uptick in violent crime. The Department must be in a position to use all laws available to combat the transnational drug organizations and dangerous drug traffickers who threaten American lives.​

Sessions's citing of a "historic drug epidemic" to justify a crackdown on medical marijuana is at odds with what researchers know about current drug use and abuse in the United States. The epidemic Sessions refers to involves deadly opiate drugs, not marijuana. A growing body of research (acknowledged by the National Institute on Drug Abuse) has shown that opiate deaths and overdoses actually decrease in states with medical marijuana laws on the books.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...l-marijuana-providers/?utm_term=.5a5ca9acde68

 

[riverman]

Sessions misses the days of prohibition.....somebody tell him it's not the roaring 20's anymore

 

[tlongII]

Yep that's a stupid position he has on medical marijuana.

 

[Denny Crane]

Under PresidentBarack Obama, the Justice Department also sought to undermine the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment. It circulated misleading talking points among Congress to influence debate over the measure, and it attempted to enforce the amendment in a way that "defies language and logic," "tortures the plain meaning of the statute" and is "at odds with fundamental notions of the rule of law," in the ruling of a federal judge.

 

[Denny Crane]

 

[Shaboid]

I have a hard time believing nearly any promise or opinion that he gave while on the campaign trail. As I would with anyone running for office, politician or not. Glad he says it's a state issue though, that's an opinion I wish he'd have for more of his agenda.

 

[MarAzul]

I wish he'd have for more of his agenda.

Such as what, would you like moved to State control?

 

[Denny Crane]

The law in question is specific to states and medical marijuana, not recreational use. Sessions isn't outright saying he wants to go after all instances and circumstances.

I'm entirely in favor of decriminalization, period. I see where Sessions is coming from, but fuck him.

 

[Shaboid]

Such as what, would you like moved to State control?

Just saw this.
I'm not asking any section or article of the constitution to be changed, if that's what you're asking. I just wish Trump's agenda would was more towards giving the states the right to dictate their destiny. Just as I wish the Governor would allow the counties and cities of our great state to choose what their path is.

As an example, why should our current President get to decide if a person from Egypt is allowed the come study law (our constitution) in our state's capitol?

 

[Denny Crane]

Just saw this.
I'm not asking any section or article of the constitution to be changed, if that's what you're asking. I just wish Trump's agenda would was more towards giving the states the right to dictate their destiny. Just as I wish the Governor would allow the counties and cities of our great state to choose what their path is.

As an example, why should our current President get to decide if a person from Egypt is allowed the come study law (our constitution) in our state's capitol?

He is granted the power by act of congress, and loosely, the Constitution allows the feds to regulate immigration and visas and so on.

 

[Shaboid]

He is granted the power by act of congress, and loosely, the Constitution allows the feds to regulate immigration and visas and so on.

Well aware. Can I dislike him for the way he decides to act on that power?

 

[Denny Crane]

Well aware. Can I dislike him for the way he decides to act on that power?

Sure. I don't like the travel ban or going after states over marijuana laws they enact. It's not much in the news, which is Russia Russia Russia 24/7.

What's true is federal law trumps state law, period.

Again, I post the truth:

http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-marijuana-trump-administration-2017-first-statement-2017-5

Trump, who has stayed mum on the topic of marijuana since the election, finally gave an indication as to where he stands on the issue in his statement after he signed the bill:

"Division B, section 537 provides that the Department of Justice may not use any funds to prevent implementation of medical marijuana laws by various States and territories. I will treat this provision consistently with my constitutional responsibility to take care that the laws be faithfully executed."​

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

The law in question is specific to states and medical marijuana, not recreational use. Sessions isn't outright saying he wants to go after all instances and circumstances.

I'm entirely in favor of decriminalization, period. I see where Sessions is coming from, but fuck him.

Probably because he feels if he starts there, all of it will crumble. We all knew once medical started, recreational would eventually follow. I feel like he's trying to undo it all.

 

[riverman]

Stupid to destroy an industry as homegrown as cannabis here and let big Pharma rule the pain relief business....taxes on pot are a cash cow for the govt and it's the largest growing industry in the nation....coal or pot...which would you invest in?

 

[barfo]

Stupid to destroy an industry as homegrown as cannabis here and let big Pharma rule the pain relief business....taxes on pot are a cash cow for the govt and it's the largest growing industry in the nation....coal or pot...which would you invest in?

This gives me an idea. We convert the coal power plants to burn weed, generating electricity and producing smoke that wafts over our cities and towns. Now people don't have to bother buying pot themselves, especially the elderly and infirm who might have trouble getting it. There would be great economic efficiencies in consolidating the pot industry. I call this plan 'Single Smoker'.

barfo

 

[MarAzul]

taxes on pot are a cash cow for the govt and it's the largest growing industry in the nation....coal or pot...which would you invest in?

Geez! Having the govt pushing pot for more cash is about the last thing I want to add to their official business.

 

[MarAzul]

why should our current President get to decide if a person from Egypt is allowed the come study law (our constitution) in our state's capitol?

Congress has the authority under our Constitution. However, the Congress has delegated this power to the President for the Nation, not just DC. Although, I am not sure this is what you are asking about.

 

[riverman]

Geez! Having the govt pushing pot for more cash is about the last thing I want to add to their official business.

govt doesn't have to push anything...just tax it like they do road repair...tax on pot is really high...higher than corporate tax actually since they cut that in half

 

[Shaboid]

Congress has the authority under our Constitution. However, the Congress has delegated this power to the President for the Nation, not just DC. Although, I am not sure this is what you are asking about.

Not sure what you think I'm asking about, as our state's capitol is Salem.

 

[MarAzul]

Not sure what you think I'm asking about, as our state's capitol is Salem.

Oh, that Capital. Ok. Well the same answer apples, hey? You Don't want the Chief executive to have this power? You want it State by State? Well let's see your amendment.
Congress has that power in the Constitution.

 

[MarAzul]

govt doesn't have to push anything

Right! Having all the school teachers push it is even worse.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

In Oregon the state taxes on Beer, Wine, Hard Liquor, and Cigarettes needs to be raised to the same 25% as Marijuana. Why should different "sins" be taxed at different rates?

The additional revenue should go to roads and schools.

 

[Cippy91]

You guys understand that weed will always be an issue regardless of what president there is? Hillary had an issue with it, they all do. Why? don't know, it's insane. The way the OT section handles politics is kind of insane. I get it, trump isn't a great president but at least be fair about it. Both sides have good things about them and really bad things but it seems the mainstream media have had influence as well on the OT section since everything I read is all about trump, haven't seen one person who hates trump here, objectively look at their side and point out the bad things. That's a bad sign

 

[riverman]

Right! Having all the school teachers push it is even worse.

you fell asleep and drove right into the swamp with this one......I pay the same tax you do dude.....but it's your bubble!

 

[MarAzul]

In Oregon the state taxes on Beer, Wine, Hard Liquor, and Cigarettes needs to be raised to the same 25% as Marijuana. Why should different "sins" be taxed at different rates?

The additional revenue should go to roads and schools.

Interesting take Sly.
Oregon ranks 19th in pay according to this website.
http://www.deseretnews.com/top/3230/7/Oregon-States-that-pay-elementary-teachers-the-most-.html
But I heard on the Radio in the last few days, it is now 2nd. True or not I don't know.

Booze in Oregon is higher than most States thanks to the State selling it.
Taxes on Cigs is atrocious in Oregon. I quit about 12 years ago so I am not really up todate, but the taxes on it must be 400-500 percent now. The last time I bought cigs in North Carolina
the price was $14 for a carton. The same cigs in Oregon were $42 , the difference was all Oregon tax. So you want 25% now? And 25% on a State set price for booze?

Sound like a man that loves tax.

What Pay Ranking in the Nation should we be at with paying the Teachers? Notice their rank in the Nation for results. One thing you should do is look into where in the State, the State spends all this money on Schools. Then figure out why it works that way. Really interesting.

 

[barfo]

You guys understand that weed will always be an issue regardless of what president there is? Hillary had an issue with it, they all do. Why? don't know, it's insane.

This actually isn't true. Obama ordered the feds to back off on pot enforcement. That was a significant change of direction.

And probably 20 years from now it won't be an issue at all, other than deciding how much to tax it.

The way the OT section handles politics is kind of insane. I get it, trump isn't a great president but at least be fair about it.

Ok... Trump isn't a great president, he's awful. He is the only one we've got, though, so I'm not sure what you mean. We shouldn't talk about the president?
We should say 'well, in an alternate universe where someone else was president, they might have some unspecified issues that they would be criticized for'? If so, then sure, agreed. The unspecified alternative president has issues! Bad alternative president!

Both sides have good things about them

Name three for each side.

and really bad things but it seems the mainstream media have had influence as well on the OT section since everything I read is all about trump, haven't seen one person who hates trump here, objectively look at their side and point out the bad things. That's a bad sign

Democrats are completely out of power. Republicans control all three branches of the government. So naturally they are the subject of discussion.

barfo

 

[Shaboid]

Oh, that Capital. Ok. Well the same answer apples, hey? You Don't want the Chief executive to have this power? You want it State by State? Well let's see your amendment.
Congress has that power in the Constitution.

Again, I'm not saying that I want an amendment. We both agree that immigration rules and federal drug policy are under the President's authority, I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is the way he chooses to execute that authority. As Trump said in the video that Denny posted above, "That is a state issue". All I was saying was that I wish he took that stance on some other items as well. Just because someone has the "authority" to do something doesn't necessarily mean they should. Am I allowed an opinion without wanting to amend the constitution?

 

[MarAzul]

Am I allowed an opinion without wanting to amend the constitution?

Absolutely.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

meh..Sessions has bigger fish to fry than to waste time on something like this. As an aside, I do not remember if I have mentioned this, but the state has purchased a multi story building in salem..some may remember it as an insurance company..and have remodeled an office for Kate Brown on the top floor. The Cost of her office alone was 1.2 Million. This building is being used to collect all of the taxes on pot at this time. All of the taxes are collected in cash..word from inside is that A) They dont even know how much money they have taken in. B) It is being ran like a mafia casino operation, where large sum of cash are being funneled off to pet projects.

 

[Cippy91]

This actually isn't true. Obama ordered the feds to back off on pot enforcement. That was a significant change of direction.

And probably 20 years from now it won't be an issue at all, other than deciding how much to tax it.



Ok... Trump isn't a great president, he's awful. He is the only one we've got, though, so I'm not sure what you mean. We shouldn't talk about the president?
We should say 'well, in an alternate universe where someone else was president, they might have some unspecified issues that they would be criticized for'? If so, then sure, agreed. The unspecified alternative president has issues! Bad alternative president!



Name three for each side.



Democrats are completely out of power. Republicans control all three branches of the government. So naturally they are the subject of discussion.

barfo

Right he did do that with the feds and I applauded that but guess what? weed is still legal in a shit ton of states and a lot of the states are still illegal under federal law as well so yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahh