Pubdate: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 Source: Daily Forty-Niner (Cal State Long Beach, CA Edu) Copyright: 2011 Daily Forty-Niner Contact: http://www.daily49er.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1391 Author: Uzo Umeh Note: Uzo Umeh is a senior communications major and a contributing writer for the Daily 49er. MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF OBAMA'S CONCERN A few days ago, four California officials from the U.S. Attorney's office announced that hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries have been ordered to close down by the federal government. Since California voters decided to legalize marijuana for medical use in 1996, the issue of medical marijuana has generally been left to the responsibility of the states. The main issue that I have a problem with is that the federal government -- specifically the Obama Administration -- is spending both time and money that we don't have on something that should by no means be at the top of their agenda. Must we remind Obama and the White House of the current financial crisis on Wall Street? The main justification that the Department of Justice is using for the forcible closure of these dispensaries is their location -- relative to schools and "significant commercial operations." The Drug Policy Alliance -- furious for obvious reasons -- blasted a press release entitled "Obama Administration's Medical Marijuana Policies Now Worse Than Bush and Clinton Policies," and they're pretty spot on. Considering that Obama is up for reelection, I'm confused as to why the Obama Administration is wasting so much of its time on the issue of medical marijuana. Polls consistently show that at least 70 percent of voters nationwide support the legalization of medical marijuana. Looking back at his election in 2008, Obama did make a promise to never target medical marijuana patients. Was this a false promise on his behalf (considering a select few others)? Not quite. Using very, very careful wording, Obama technically isn't targeting medical marijuana patients, but is targeting their dispensaries, its owners and their entire pharmaceutical system. As of now, the Department of Justice is aiming most of its efforts at California, but medical marijuana dispensary owners throughout the country are concerned. Representative Jared Polis (D-Colo.) has introduced legislation in Congress, backed by California Rep. Pete Stark (D) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), that would require the IRS to allow all businesses, including dispensaries, to deduct expenses. The problem that dispensaries are facing as of now is that the IRS is not allowing them to deduct expenses such as salaries, rent, the cost of bud or other operating costs -- while major corporations have managed to get their federal tax bills down to zero. If a business can't deduct these expenses, its tax bill will almost always wind up exceeding even its profits. There are more pressing matters facing federal law enforcement right now. I don't see how it makes any sense to waste time and taxpayer funds in order to interfere in state-legal business -- especially an issue that has been approved by voters. Personally, I believe that it's a bad move on behalf of the federal government and the Obama Administration to interfere in something that is in actuality well regulated and generates both economic activity and jobs. But that's just my opinion. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom