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Med Marijuana Backers Cheer End to Raids

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2009 7:41 PM CST
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(Newser) – Supporters of medical marijuana are celebrating a remark by Attorney General Eric Holder that went largely unnoticed this week, MSNBC reports. Asked about federal drug raids on state-approved dispensaries that led to 775 arrests, Holder said such busts are a thing of the past. What President Obama "said during the campaign ... is now American policy," Holder said, referring to Obama's support for medical marijuana.

“My attitude is if the science and the doctors suggest that the best palliative care ... is medical marijuana, then that’s something I’m open to,” Obama said on the campaign trail. The White House website on drug policy still supports President Bush's approach—the DEA shut down 30 to 40 marijuana centers during his presidency—but marijuana advocates are cheering nonetheless. “Holder’s statement marks a dramatic shift in US drug policy," one said.

A woman smokes a cigarette of marijuana in an Amsterdam cafe on February 7, 2007 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
A woman smokes a cigarette of marijuana in an Amsterdam cafe on February 7, 2007 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.   (Getty Images)
The bud of a marijuana plant grown by George and Jean Hanamoto is seen at their home in the Mendocino County community of Willits, Calif., Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
The bud of a marijuana plant grown by George and Jean Hanamoto is seen at their home in the Mendocino County community of Willits, Calif., Wednesday, May 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Cheryl Aichele of Los Angeles, a medical marujuana user, joins demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.
Cheryl Aichele of Los Angeles, a medical marujuana user, joins demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
A protester who identified himself as Farmer Dave holds a sign protesting Drug Enforcement Agency raids on medical marijuana clinics in Los Angeles Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
A protester who identified himself as "Farmer Dave" holds a sign protesting Drug Enforcement Agency raids on medical marijuana clinics in Los Angeles Tuesday, May 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Joanna McKee uses a vaporizer to get one of her daily doses of medical marijuana, Wednesday, June, 27, 2007, in Seattle.
Joanna McKee uses a vaporizer to get one of her daily doses of medical marijuana, Wednesday, June, 27, 2007, in Seattle.   (AP Photo/Andrei Pungovschi)
Sarah Armstrong joins demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.
Sarah Armstrong joins demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Guest
Mar 1, 2009 1:18 AM CST
No you die by ingesting massive amounts of saliva.
Guest
Feb 28, 2009 12:31 AM CST
It damn well better be.
Guest
Feb 28, 2009 12:08 AM CST
I certainly hope so. It's safer than tobacco and alcohol and more fun.

 
California • medical marijuana • DEA • raids • marijuana legalization • Bill Maher Grid

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