While my headline is technically true it is not the whole story. There are people in the former Bush admin (damn it feels good to write that) who have not yet left their posts and are still carrying out the former President Bush's misguided agenda.
From the article:
Oakland, CA -- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided a medical marijuana dispensary today in South Lake Tahoe, California, in the first days of the new Obama Administration. Even though President Barack Obama had made repeated promises during his election campaign to end federal raids in medical marijuana states, many high-ranking Bush Administration officials have yet to leave office. For example, still at the helm of the DEA is acting Administrator Michele Leonhart, who has been responsible for numerous federal raids in California, following in the footsteps of her predecessor Karen Tandy. Neither Eric Holder, President Obama's pick for U.S. Attorney General, nor a new DEA Administrator, have taken office yet.
It is important for President Obama, who has repeatedly said that he will end the Federal prosecution of medical marijuana patients and their caregivers, to actually make good on his promise.
Many of us have sick friends and family who would benefit from medical marijuana. I think of both my Mom and Father in Law who are on chemo now for cancer and are having nausea and do not feel like eating to have access to a safe drug that alleviates some of their side effects from the treatment.
To be honest I see marijuana as a far less harmful drug than most legal drugs but I digress.
Here are some of the Presidents own words on the matter:
"I would not have the Justice Department prosecuting and raiding medical marijuana users," Senator Obama said in an August 2007 statement. "It's not a good use of our resources," he continued. This statement was followed up by Obama in other public events in the run up to the election. "President Obama must rise to the occasion by quickly correcting this problem and by keeping the promise he made to the voters of this country," said Woodson. ASA has been working with the new Administration on changing federal law around medical marijuana, which has included providing a comprehensive set of policy recommendations.
So far I have been very happy... Strike that.
I am confident, proud and relieved that our President is working to restore our good name around the world and set our country back on the path that our founding fathers intended.
So Mr. President. Can we trust you to end this type of behaviour by our Government?
I am confident that you will do the right thing.
Mahalo!