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United States Justice Dept. okays use of medical marijuana

Posted by CaribShout on October 21, 2009 at 9:30pm

The federal government, through the Department of Justice, announced on Monday that the use of marijuana (ganja) for medicinal purposes is permissible in some U.S. states. In a policy memo issued by the Justice Department federal prosecutors were informed that people who smoke (or otherwise use) marijuana for medical reasons should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana. For years a fervent controversy has raged in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean about the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. In the 1970s, a Jamaican ophthalmologist had gained notoriety for his research and use of marijuana extract in curing glaucoma, and over the years several doctors have recommended the use of marijuana as a positive treatment in several diseases, including cancer. However, despite the proven benefit of the plant for medical purposes, there have been several arrests, particularly in the U.S.

Prior to the announcement, 14 states, not including Florida, contradicted the federal law that banned the general use of marijuana, by approving its use for medical purposes. These states are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. The new federal guidelines were sent to federal prosecutors in these 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. California voters approved the use of medicinal marijuana in 1996, and physicians in that state often refer patients to marijuana dispensaries. However, before Monday’s announcement, the federal government refused to recognize the law, and pursued prosecutions against medical marijuana providers and users in California and other states. In a statement related to the new guidelines, U.S. Attorney General said, “It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal.” The guidelines states that prosecutors “should not focus federal resources in your states on individuals whose actions are in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana.” However, it also urges prosecutors to pursue marijuana cases which involve violence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or involvement in other crimes. North Miami herbalist, Gregory Samuda, a strong advocate for the medical use of marijuana for chronic pain and various diseases, says he is heartened that the federal government has made such a decision, but would have preferred if the government had permitted the use of marijuana in all 50 states. “This ruling is not relevant to Florida, and that’s a pity. South and Central Florida, have thousands of residents who, culturally, believe in the medicinal qualities of marijuana. However, they risk prosecution if they are found in possession of the drug, even if they prove they are sick. The new guidelines are a step forward, but there are still several steps to make marijuana universally acceptable for medical use.” “This is a major step forward,” said Bruce Mirken, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “This change in policy moves the federal government dramatically toward respecting scientific and practical reality.” Critics believe the government’s decision counteracts the fight against the drug trade. Republican Lamar Smith of Texas, a member of the House Judiciary Committee said that the U.S. cannot hope to eradicate the drug trade if it does not address “the cash cow for most drug trafficking organizations – marijuana.”

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