So Scott Adams posted on his Dilbert Blog an article (and followup) discussing the recent conviction in LA of Aaron Sandusky, a pot grower running a medical marijuana dispensary who was tried on federal charges.
Adams’ issue is not about medical marijuana itself. Rather, Adams argues that Obama has previously sworn to not pursue federal cases against medical marijuana providers in states with medical marijuana laws. He thinks the feds prosecuted Aaron Sandusky based upon some political motivation, and by going back on his word to try to sway voters he has committed a firing offense. Thus, Adams is now endorsing Romney.
Now the way Adams presents it, it does sound unreasonable and seems unfair. However, I have a friend who lives in the LA area, and she told me there was more going on. Apparently, the city is having issues with the medical marijuana dispensaries, and they asked the feds to step in. In other words, this is not Obama changing his mind on his policy, but rather the local government getting assistance with something that concerns them. Apparently one of the partners worked as an informant for the sherriffs, and they offered a plea deal to Sandusky that he as refused. He is going to prison in protest.
Now one could argue the [del]sneakiness[/del] validity of the locals calling in the feds in this situation, but I’d rather not do that. And I am not looking for debate over the merits or legality of medical marijuana.
Rather, my question is trying to find more details of the actual motivations of what is going on. I am looking, specifically, for background information on why the local government is concerned over these dispensaries and why they got the feds involved.
I tried google, but all I can find is pro-pot sites calling Sandusky a hero and condemning Obama and the feds. Nobody is providing the background info.
Can anyone help?
Posted in GQ because I want background information, not debates over pot or Obama’s policy or the fed involvement.
I can’t speak for the Aaron Sandusky case, but Michigan has medical marijuana clinics as well. It hasn’t gone well. Basically, the marijuana dispensaries have developed a reputation as centers of crime and blight (people robbing the dispensary and/or the customers, stoners hanging around trying to score weed, that sort of thing) and the municipal governments are looking for any excuse they can find to shut them down. If they can get the state or the feds involved, they’ll do so in a heartbeat.
So what’s the “issues”? Are there allegations that people are obtaining pot without a valid prescription? That would be a reason to investigate and charge…
I recognize the reference to the other thread (not even in the GQ forum), but I can’t figure out what the “thought experiment” is that he’s suggesting here.
Yeah, we’ve got this, too. When Prohibition was implemented, use of alcohol for “medicinal” purposes was allowed, and suddenly every illness under the sun could be treated by drinking alcohol. Similarly, ever since the medicinal marijuana law was passed, reports of chronic pain have exploded, and of course smoking dope is the only possible solution.
Speaking of paper towel roll tubes, I know of two links between such tubes and marijuana. The first is, after partaking in some medicinal marijuana in a dark room, set one of these tubes on end and light the top edge with a match and watch it burn down. Like, wow, man. The second is using said tube (technically called a “der der” since, as kids, we would put them up to our mouths and say “Der der der” through the tube) as a bong/shotgun of sorts. Poke a small hole near the end of the tube, insert the “mouth end” of a light joint in the hole, cover the end of the der der nearest the joint with the palm of one hand and draw through the other. Continue inhaling and remove the hand covering the hole. I remember hearing about this technique about 40 years ago. I can’t claim to have invented the term der der, though. Got that out of some book making the rounds at the time.
Since I’ve already given instructions about remarks about the “paper towel” issue, I’m going to make this an official warning for failure to follow moderator instructions.
MikeF, the registration agreement prohibits “posting material that in our opinion encourages activity that is illegal in the U.S.” Even medical marijuana remains illegal according to federal law. Since posting instructions on how to use marijuana has absolutely nothing to do with the OP, I’m making this an Official Warning.