Obama to respond to raids?

I'm just grabbing this directly off of cannabisnews

cannabisnews.com: Phelps Takes a Hit

Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 05, 2009 at 05:24:32 PT
Press Release From ASA
White House Responds to DEA Raids, Vows to End Policy

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February 5, 2009

Washington, DC -- White House Spokesman Nick Shapiro reacted to new Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raids at medical cannabis collectives in California, saying he expects President Obama to end that policy when a new DEA Administrator is seated. â??The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind," Shapiro said.

The statement puts the Department of Justice and the DEA on notice of a change in federal policy, and indicates that continued raids may not be tolerated. "Americans for Safe Access acknowledges President Obama's continued pledge to end federal interference with state medical marijuana laws," commented Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs. â??We look forward to working with the President and his Administration to enact long-term policies that support safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research." Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nationâ??s largest medical cannabis advocacy organization, sent policy recommendations aimed at harmonizing federal and state law and encouraging research to President Obama and Congress earlier this year.

Shapiroâ??s statement followed a groundswell of public opposition and critical media following a DEA raid in South Lake Tahoe on January 22 and four simultaneous raids in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday. ASA members and other medical cannabis advocates responded with thousands of phone calls to the White House and an Internet campaign on the Presidentâ??s web site, Change.gov, asking the President to fulfill his repeated campaign pledges to not use federal resources to interfere with state medical marijuana laws.

Medical cannabis raids intensified under former President George W. Bush, with more than one hundred paramilitary style raids, new indictments, and letters threatening property owners who rent to medical cannabis facilities with prosecution and civil asset forfeiture. "More than 72 million people live in a state that has enacted laws that authorize the limited use and distribution of cannabis for therapeutic use," Woodson said. "The White House's comments have provided patients and their loved ones a sense of relief, and we hope the President and our Attorney General will keep this pledge in mind when considering appointments to the DEA and Office of National Drug Control Policy."

For interviews with medical cannabis patients impacted by federal raids, defendants facing prosecution or sentencing, doctors, and researchers, contact Media Specialist Kris Hermes at (510) 681-6361 or Director of Government Affairs Caren Woodson at (202) 857-5350.

Comments by Obama on ending medical marijuana raids:

MailTribune.com: He favors long-term timber-payments solution

ASA medical marijuana recommendations for President Obama:

ASA : Medical Marijuana Policy Recommendations for President Barack H. Obama

Obama is gonna have a real fight ahead of him, if he tries to rein in the DEA ... remember, this is Politics: " Job Security is Job #1 " ... we'll see how much fight that dog has in him :smokin:

Thanks Granny, we had a big discussion at the MAPP meeting here in S.Cal. last night. I recalled him saying in his campaign that he would leave it to the state and figured he'd do absolutely nothing. However, biting my lips.

Lets think positive and hope it gets done soon!!!! It seems the emails, etc. we've sent listing Medical Marijuana as the #1 concern on people's minds and his list! Persisitance--at least it is doing something.

Obama is looking a bit tired lately and lack of energy. Needs a good sativa! NCDG?? 'I screwed up!' Maybe he can get it right for us!! :thumbsup:

damn, think I lost my greenie thing on the thumb. only got to use it once! P/R

thanks for all the info!

I pulled this off a blog from the Oregon NORML myspace. Gotta be persistent my fellows!

Five more raids in California even though Obama promised to end them. Please call and tell the President it's time to reign in the DEA and keep his promise. All he has to do is tell them to STOP!! I called this morning to his comment line at 202-456-1414. His direct line is 202-456-1111. Please call today and remind him of his promise before even more sick and dying people end up without their medicine or worse - hurt and in jail!

Thanks for postin that granny,felt good,lol:thumbsup:

make your voice count.... Change.gov: The Obama-Biden Transition Team

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkrQDh8FBVw&eurl[/YOUTUBE]

MySpace.com Blogs - Seattle police chief to become nation's drug czar - Jack Herer MySpace Blog

Lol I love that last comment by Bush, very funny guy indeed. :thumbsup: