Former federal drug policy adviser Kevin Sabet: "I can't imagine the Administration is going to say it is going to be OK with retail sales"
A former senior drug policy adviser in the Obama Administration said on Sunday that it was "unlikely" the federal government will allow Colorado and Washington to legalize marijuana, despite the fact that citizens of both states voted to do so.
"I think the administration has been very clear and the President has been very clear that he is against legalization," former drug policy adviser Kevin Sabet said on MSNBC's Up With Chris Hayes. "From public health grounds, we know with legalization we are going to have a cheaper drug, more people are going to use it, it is just going to be more socially acceptable and according to the NIH [National Institutes of Health] that is a problem for one in six kids -- it is not a problem for everybody, but it can be a problem on the roads and for IQ and learning, et cetera," Sabet annoyingly bullshat.
Ballot initiatives to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults were approved by voters in Washington and Colorado last month, but cannabis remains a very illegal Schedule I controlled substance on the federal leevel.
"So the Administration has been very clear they're going to be against it," Sabet said, reported Eric W. Dolan at The Raw Story.
"What the Justice Department does with the very tricky legal questions -- because each of these initiatives have like 10 different legal things that they're trying to do -- I think is the more interesting question," Sabet claimed. "Federal law is federal law. I can't imagine the Administration is going to say it is going to be OK with retail sales."
Sabet added, however, that the Department of Justice could possibly decide that prosecuting those who grow marijuana for personal use "isn't a good use of its resources," as the Obama Administration has already said about those who follow state medical marijuana laws.
This mensa also repeats the bogus claim that legalization will cause more kids to use it. There are two factors the paranoids don't take into account:
1) With it being "legal," it won't be "cool" any more, and desire for teens to use it will plummet.
2) With it being "legal," retailers will be operating licensed and above-board, and won't be allowed to sell to kids. This matters because currently it's easier to get pot than alcohol. Why? Because the pot dealer is already breaking the law, and not that worried about selling to kids. The convenience store operator doesn't want trouble, and won't sell to kids.
This has been shown to be true where cannabis laws have already been loosened. In fact, it's been shown that medical MJ states have already seen the effect of one or both phenomena.
They're in the executive branch. It is not in their power to "allow marijuana legalization." It is in their power to use discretion, which they would do if it was THEIR FAMILY who got caught being free.
This guy is nothing but a diarrhea mouth prohibitionist. It must suck that all the control you have fought for is vaporizing before your eyes. So Suck it!
i say the fed can just shut the f up and get out of our state bussness , if Obama Had any balls at all , he would write the executive order and end prohibition , and force the DEA to stop at Every Home in America during there withdraw and apolagize for 70 years of Terrany
"From public health grounds, we know with legalization we are going to have a cheaper drug," - REALLY? Well in our REGULATED LEGAL STATE dispensaries in AZ the price is upwards of $500 an ounce! So if they think that they know whats going on they need to get someone on the ground to figure it out. We need real leadership on this issue, not just innuendo!
Imagine the legal battle that the federal government will get into. The people of Colorado vs. the Fed. Has a voter initiative ever been nullified by the federal government? We'll see next year.
Why is an EX policy advisor advising the public and why do we listen to this guy at all? He's not open for anything of value except pushing the governments propaganda line to keep things criminalized and keep Americans being arrested for non violent crimes. He is not protecting our children. He is supporting the arrest and incarceration of millions as a public policy. No wonder he is an ex advisor. He needs to remain that way.
this guy is a right wing idiot talking on a right wing media outlet and has no business commenting since he doesn't know anything....pure bullshit from a person who just likes the sound of their own voice. Don't listen.
The U.S.A. Federal election had estimated 57.5% of American's turnout. therefore 42.5% Vote for no Government. No candidate had 42.5% total voter support. Therefore the president was not chosen to represent.
@jway87 @YouHaveRights voter turnout does indeed send a message. If not even 25% of the USA even voted for obama, what message does that give you? As opposed to exactly 50%?
The government is a disgrace to all nations, Anyone who follows any laws the government sets out are brainwashed fools. The government has no right to do 95% of the things they do. Police, Judges, Feds have no right to lock people up in cages, against people's own will. They have no right to come onto your land. They have no right making you pay taxes, They have no right to dictate what is right or wrong. They have no right to pass law's without the consensus of the greater people. People need to stop voting, stop abiding the laws. Stand up against the government and most of all stop buying shit you don't need and complaining corporations have to much money. You have all fucked your country aswell as the world by the stupid money printing the u.s.a had influenced every country in the world to abide by what they want, if a country disagree's you bomb them. FUCK THE U.S.A. on behalf of the entire world.
So, the peoples vote doesn't count anymore? B.S. Well i guess thats quite fine with me , they can keep trying to fight the borders n never win, our tax payin dollars can be for non violent cannabis users in jail or prisons, cuz pple are gonna use it legaly or illegal reguardless
