I
remember back in 2010 when I was campaigning to defeat Proposition 19. I often wondered why the White House would
not take a stronger position than it did to enforce our federal laws. Eventually, I figured out that the reason for
this was fear of political payback from the “pot vote.”
But it’s even worse now and there is no doubt in my mind that the tail
is beginning to wag the dog. Since
November 6th, there has been a deafening silence from the White
House regarding passage of Colorado Amendment 64 and Washington State
Initiative 502. Many have been looking
for leadership from the White House, as well as direction because hey, let’s
face it, the President has made clear policies that he is against the
legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
But is he fooling us all?
The
terrible tragedy in the Connecticut elementary school shooting, while horrific
and heartbreaking, distracted the public away from some very, in my view,
disturbing comments the President made in an interview with Barbara Walters. He said “what we're going to need to have is
a conversation about, ‘How do you reconcile a federal law that still says
marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that it's legal?” That has been the sticking point all along
for the last 75 years at the policy level and 40 years at the political level
and it should interest the public how it came about that we have legalized
marijuana in Colorado and Washington State in the first place. These efforts were funded in part by
marijuana dispensaries, both locally and from other states. That means money to help fund these efforts
either crossed state lines in violation of the law, or they contributed to a
campaign during a year where there was a federal contest. Under federal and state law, these would be RICO
violations. If the President is serious
about reconciliation, perhaps we should look at the organized crime element of
these campaigns and the money laundering aspects they have. Therefore Mr. President, how about reconciling
this issue with an IRS and Fair Political Practices Commission audit?
Accordingto the Chicago Tribune, Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vermont.), chairman of the
Judiciary Committee, said his panel would consider legislation early next year
that could ease federal law for marijuana possession. In a letter to U.S. Drug Czar R. Gil
Kerlikowske he stated "One option would be to amend the Federal Controlled
Substances Act to allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, at least in
jurisdictions where it is legal under state law." One ounce of marijuana equals 56 joints which is completely unacceptable and
no one is asking for regulated THC levels.
Potency of marijuana is a serious problem but does not seem to be an
issue here and shows a clear sign that Senator Leahy’s view of marijuana is
benign and uninformed.
When compared to California Proposition 19, the
campaigns in Colorado and Washington State had far less support in opposition
from the White House, if any. Campaign
managers in Colorado ran a lousy campaign that had no chance of winning
big. Most committees and faith based organizations,
which defeated Proposition 19, had offered to help with Colorado and Washington
State with policy advice and public speakers, yet they were ignored and even
pushed back. I got a call from a
Japanese media outlet a few days ago and the producer of the show had followed
Proposition 19 and even he said it was blatantly obvious that the efforts in
Colorado and Washington State were thwarted.
It is hard to imagine that the reason for this could have been anything
other than the presidential election.
The
fact of the matter is that the President knows very well by now that the
marijuana legalization movement is so well funded, that the voice of the
opposing argument is overshadowed by well-funded marijuana legalization
propaganda. This propaganda is filled
with lies and misleading information that is designed to open the door to
further legalize drugs such as heroin, cocaine and other hard drugs. If the President is serious about having any
discussion on this issue to truly reconcile this matter, the first order of
business should be, having a fair and balanced discussion with equal time and
participation on both sides. If the President
choses to do so, I will offer all evidence and testimony available to me, as
will those who have fought so hard to enforce the President’s policies.
