Medical Marijuana Raids To Continue After House Defeats Defunding Bill

Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.)

WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan measure that would have eliminated funding for federal raids on medical marijuana dispensaries in states where they're legal failed Wednesday in the House of Representatives. The legislation, introduced by Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), was part of the appropriations bill to fund the Department of Justice for fiscal 2013. It failed 262-163.

(Watch Farr's address to Congress above.)

The bill came as the administration of President Barack Obama has unleashed an interagency crackdown on the cannabis industry, with raids on pot dispensaries, many in California operating in full compliance with state law. Since October 2009, the Justice Department has conducted more than 170 aggressive SWAT-style raids in nine states that allow medical marijuana, resulting in at least 61 federal indictments, according to data compiled by Americans for Safe Access, an advocacy group. While medical marijuana is legal under laws in 17 states and the District of Columbia, federal law says any use of marijuana is illegal.

The failed bill's text reads as follows:

None of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used, with respect to the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.

Of the 190 Democrats in the House, 134 (more than 70 percent) voted in favor of the bill. Only 29 of the 242 House Republicans (less than 12 percent) did.

"If states' rights aren't a good enough reason to pass this amendment, do it because of compassion. Compassion demands it," said Farr in his statement Wednesday on the House floor. "We offer this amendment for terminal cancer patients," he added, "for AIDS victims, for persons who suffer chronic pain. We offer this amendment not only to protect those people, but we offer this amendment to protect the states that are progressive enough to provide alternative medical options to those who need it."

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[sdombr]

01:40 PM on 09/23/2012

A few websites to consider joining or reviewing for marijuan information:
www.NORML.org, National Organization for the Reform of marijuana Laws
www.stopthedrugwar.org.
www.LEAP.cc, Law Inforcement Against Prohibition.

[Alchemy89861]

06:00 PM on 06/25/2012

I'm Impressed, there are still at least 163 intelligent rationale people left in Washington, unlike dbrett480, if you watch the debate, this is about your democracy, states mostly by referendum have voted in favor of making it legal for certain purposes, yet the Federal Government Ignores the will of the majority in favor of its failed adgenda. Do some research on the War on Drugs, look where most of the heroine is coming from....and who are the TRUE drug lords, there are too many people on the Government side that have an interest in continuing this failed war 200 billion annual budget?

[dbrett480]

09:37 PM on 05/30/2012

Good thing it failed. It annoys me when legislators attempt to introduce their political views in the micromanaging of how law enforcement operates. If you want marijuana laws not to be enforced, then make it legal. Don't go around telling cops how to enforce the laws that Congress has passed.

[Jones80]

02:47 PM on 05/23/2012

Do you realize how many people are in incarcerated because of MJ so far..I am sure the number is Big...Now decriminalized it or downgrade from grade I to II , will cause stir to those who already served time for dealing with something that does not pose any threat regarding to thier health ...! Second there is no evidence of any kind to prove that MJ kills Brain Cells, or it can be a gateway to others drugs... The Govt need to realy get serious... Or the problems in Mexico will spread everywhere.....U think the cartels cant controll here in the U.S soil......ha ha ha perhaps they are already controlling things here...lol

[SmotPoker]

06:51 AM on 05/19/2012

Gee, didn't they just come out with an article stating how the GOTP was actually in favor of medical marijuana? So which is it fellas?

[Bah]

12:15 AM on 05/17/2012

OUR TAX DOLLARS SPENT ON REALLY REALLY STUPID RAIDS ON MEDICAL MARY JANE SHOPS! THESE GUYS (CONGRESS) I DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD GET ANY STUPIDER! BOY WAS I WRONG... JUST MAKE IT LEGAL, AND TAX IT.. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

[Amy R Fisher]

04:36 PM on 05/15/2012

you need to repost picture of costume with the words
" OBAMA CAN YOU REPLACE OUR TAX REVENUE "
HOW IS TAX MONEY LOST GOING TO BE REPLACED?
I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT OUR GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CRIPPLE OUR ECONOMY. LEGAL DISPENCARIES ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE OUR MEDICATION IS PURE AND FREE FROM ADDITIVES.AND TO GIVE US "SAFE ACCESS ".AND FAIR PRICES.
WE DO NOT NEED PATIENTS GOING TO THE STREETS. ALL THAT DOES IS INCREASE THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADES,WE AS PATIENTS WANT TO AVOID.WE LIKE THE IDEA OF HELPING PEOPLE.MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE AND LOVE.
UNRULY OCCUPY PARTICIPENTS I HOPE IS NOT THE REASON FOR THIS . THOSE OF US THAT TRULY WANT TO OCCUPY 420 ONLY WANT A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION NOT VIOLENCE.

[Juwiah777]

10:30 AM on 05/15/2012

http://www.change.org/petitions/mr-president-obama-decriminalization-non-medical-cannibis

[jlafky]

01:28 AM on 05/14/2012

These folks in congress need more fiber; moral fiber.

[SmotPoker]

06:52 AM on 05/19/2012

They need to be looking for new jobs come November is what they need.

[jimmylimo]

11:39 PM on 05/13/2012

The administration's raids are BS and play right into the hands of the murderous Mexican drug cartels. LEGALIZE it and take 75% of the cash out of the cartel's hands ! Employ US farmers, reduce drunk drivers and domestic violence, and use the taxes to fund our schools...

[RoyParkr]

10:07 PM on 05/13/2012

Lol The argument about dispensaries no selling to kids is sooooo accurate. I have been smoking weed since 13. I am almost 17 and it still takes at least a weeks for me to get a handle of alcohol and have to pay a lot of extra $$. I can get a quarter ounce of weed in less than 2 hours.

[samuleparsons]

09:12 PM on 05/15/2012

That is because you are buying it illegally. That is the problem. Patients who need it cannot get it legally and have to resort to "supporting terrorist" (as our lawmakers claim, which is another argument all together). If you make it legal and tax it just like tobacco, then you take away the criminal element. It would then take you two weeks to get your "quarter ounce."
What it all comes down to is how harmful can it really be? Has ANYONE ever heard of anyone dying from an overdose of MJ? No. Now how much harm have pharaceuticals or alcohol caused? An un-countable number of cases.
There are some serious dollars involved that most Americans will never know about that is keeping it illegal.

[Spank05]

11:48 AM on 05/18/2012

A "handle" of alcohol?

Never met a 16 year old that talks like that, did you take a time machine from a different era? Or are you just flat out lieing about who you are?

The second one seems morel likely.

[bill harness]

12:11 PM on 05/13/2012

It's on President Obama's shoulders now. This Congress does not represent the American People , so now we must turn to our President. Please Mr. President do the right thing and reclassify Marijuana to a Schedule II drug from it's current Schedule I position. Now is the time Mr. President to make another historic announcement. The whole world is watching Mr. President. Go Chisox

[Juwiah777]

10:34 AM on 05/15/2012

Sign support and add your reason. Lets band together and make sure our voice is heard.

Change.org|Create a Petition

[Bah]

12:17 AM on 05/17/2012

NO JUST MAKE IT LEGAL LIKE TOBACCO! & ALCOHOL

[john yunker]

06:37 PM on 05/12/2012

Dear Mr. President, As much dope as you smoked, how can you do this? You wound up becoming President of the U.S.A for Christs' sake, so how bad can it be..I recently had my knee smashed between 2 3500 lb. concrete blocks at work because some idiot wasn't paying attention. I have been taking pain meds, mmental issue meds( angry a lot) and blood pressure meds and wound up having a 3 week stay in the hospital because my bowels backed up and exploded inside me.. I've never had blood pressuse issues like this before and I'm kinda freakin' out a lot because of how angry I am that this man did this to me. A friend told me his doctor told him to smoke marijuana for his pain and other issues ,but because it's not legal couldn't do anything more than that..He asked me if I wanted to get high, but at first i hesitated because I hadn't done it in nearly 20 years. I finally gave in. That 1 day was the most peaceful day I had in nearly 7 1/2 months. I even for the first time slept through the night! Cut us a break. Some of us need to do medically what you did for fun..I voted for you. Don't make me regret it..

[drugwarfighter]

10:33 PM on 05/12/2012

There are probably as many marijuana consumers as tobacco consumers. Does Obama mock and ridicule tobacco users? No.
Marijuana consumers put Obama in the White House. And marijuana consumers will help take him out of the White House.

[tony fixer]

08:19 AM on 05/15/2012

you do not want to jump from fry pan to fire though!

[Patriot Henry]

07:44 AM on 05/13/2012

"Dear Mr. President, As much dope as you smoked, how can you do this? "

The president appears to be a sociopath/psychopath, as do all politicians who claim to care and then torture the innocent. Best of luck with the recovery, especially with the anger, that's probably the most dangerous part.

[pete619]

05:55 PM on 05/12/2012

Once again congress gives the American people what they overwhelmingly don't want.

[Deep Thinking Man]

03:52 PM on 05/12/2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification