Why is This a Priority? Medical Marijuana Adverts to be Prosecuted

In another O > W moment, the U.S. Attorney for San Diego and Imperial counties, announced a crack down on publications that advertise medical marijuana. Flashback to 2009 and the administration was announcing that they were going to back off medical marijuana fights.

The government's top lawyer said that in 14 states with some provisions for medical marijuana use, federal prosecutors should focus only on cases involving higher-level drug traffickers, money launderers or people who use the state laws as a cover.
. . .
"it will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana."

I guess that advertisers who are letting those patients know where they can find the dispensaries aren't covered in that proclamation. Here is what U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy had to say.

. . . marijuana advertising is the next area she's "going to be moving onto as part of the enforcement efforts in Southern California." Duffy said she could not speak for the three other U.S. attorneys covering the state, but noted their efforts have been coordinated so far.

"I'm not just seeing print advertising," Duffy said in an interview with California Watch and KQED. "I'm actually hearing radio and seeing TV advertising. It's gone mainstream. Not only is it inappropriate – one has to wonder want kind of message we're sending to our children – it's against the law."

Of course, when it comes to deporting felons in this country illegally, there is prosecutorial discretion, but marijuana dispensaries, operating in accordance with state law are federal targets.

I wonder what the Occupy San Diego crowd thinks about this turn of events and how supportive of Obama they would be if they were aware.

As I have discussed before, I believe that ending drug prohibition is consistent with my tea party values. Further, this may not be the winning issue that the administration thinks it is. Gallup reports that the support for marijuana legalization is now at 50%.

Another reason to support Gary Johnson perhaps? Certainly he has been ahead of the curve on this issue.