(2009-01-29) Obama Medical Marijuana Policy

Despite previous statements from Barack Obama, the DEA has raided some Medical Marijuana dispensaries.

Thirteen states have laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana. California is unique among them for the presence of dispensaries, businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services.

Feb29 update: "Federal resources should not be used to circumvent State Law-s," says Nick Shapiro, an Obama spokesman. Holder's latest remarks appear to signal that the raids will end. The approach to States Rights in this case, however, is a notable departure from the one used to desegregate schools, close military bases, prosecute civil rights abuses, and link a drinking age to federal highway funds. "Frankly, it's extremely rare for the federal government to allow the states to say that something is legal when the federal law says the opposite," says Paul Rothstein, a law professor at Georgetown University.

Meanwhile, advocates of revamping the nation's drug laws encourage Obama to take a page from Franklin Roosevelt (FDR), who spent his first few days in office fixing the crippled banking industry before overturning Prohibition. They wave economic studies, arguing that ending marijuana prohibition would create billions in tax revenue and allow cops to focus on more serious offenses. Repealing the 18th Amendment sent millions of dollars into government coffers by 1934 when breweries turned on the taps. (Economic Stimulus)