Obama's Attorney General on Drugs

[Jim Finnel]

President-elect Obama has tapped Eric Holder, Jr for attorney general, and most of the opposition thus far has centered around Holder's role in the eleventh hour Clinton pardons. I get bored just typing about that. I'm much more worried about what Holder wanted to do 12 years ago, when he was U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.

U.S. Attorney Eric H. Holder Jr. said in an interview that he is considering not only prosecuting more marijuana cases but also asking the D.C. Council to enact stiffer penalties for the sale and use of marijuana.

"We have too long taken the view that what we would term to be minor crimes are not important," Holder said, referring to current attitudes toward marijuana use and other offenses such as panhandling.

Now, people arrested in the District and charged with distributing marijuana, even large quantities, face only misdemeanor charges, a standard that has sparked repeated complaints by police officers.

He also told the Washington Post that "the District could learn from New York's 'zero-tolerance' policy." I wonder what people in the drug policy reform movement, who have so far been (relatively) optimistic about Obama, think of this.


News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Reason Magazine
Author: David Weigel
Copyright: 2008 Reason Magazine
Contact: Reason Magazine
Website: Hit & Run > Obama's Attorney General on Drugs - Reason Magazine

 

[Dr. 215]

well this sucks. Im moving to Canada.

 

[Jim Finnel]

he said it 12 years ago. his situation is different. he's not the boss. i'm still in wait and see mode.

 

[In_Hollywood]

This Doesn't sound so good, however, I hope the new AG will be educated with current knowledge & info. that he may NOT have had 12 yrs. ago, so as to make his job more understanding of how Medical Marijuana helps many people who are ill, in the NOW 13 MMJ states! Prosecution of MMJ Patients in these 13 states is a waist of MONEY, that could be used effectively elsewhere, IMHO! =Judy= BTW, Has anyone, here, done research on this fellow to find out more about him and his attitudes, etc.?

 

[Keith Lake]

I'm also taking a wait and see attitude -what other choice do we have.

Obama does seem to be rehiring the Clinton administration, but Richardson for one is hugely pro MMJ, so not all the appointees are anti cannibis.

I think politicians generally believe in things that further their careers, and that a lot of them either have few core beliefs or do a good job supressing them.

If Obama sets the right tone, they'll all snap in line so fast our heads will spin.

Just my opinion