DOJ Issues Vague Statement on Medical Marijuana Industry

Posted on 18. Jul, 2011 by Staff in Insight

A recent memo from the deputy attorney general was expected to “clarify” concerns about the federal position on new state medical marijuana programs. However, by stating that DOJ’s policy “has not changed,” federal authorities have failed to provide any meaningful guidance to state officials working to implement new programs. The risk of federal interference remains, but it’s a risk that has failed thus far to prevent the dramatic and continuing growth of the medical marijuana industry.

Medical marijuana advocate Scott Morgan has a piece at Huffington Post explaining why the medical marijuana market will thrive with or without the support of the federal government:

Obama and his drug war army may have the force of federal law on their side, but they know that to fully execute it means they must risk shocking the conscience of the American people. That is something they literally and figuratively cannot afford to do. In the end, the success of the medical marijuana movement depends only on the willingness of patients, providers, advocates, and even state officials to continue pushing cautiously, but constantly, forward.

Read the whole thing here.