MPP projects

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) sent me a list of projects that MPP is
working on at the federal level, so this is a good time for me to issue them
a report card:

Justice Department Position on Medical Marijuana:

MPP says the U.S. House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee called
on the spending bill for the U.S. Department of Justice to issue a written
policy on its federal medical marijuana position. I’m unclear if that means
it actually got included in the spending bill. I would rate this effort an
“A” for whoever is responsible, but that grade will drop if the spending
bill doesn’t include a requirement for the written policy. This is
something that needs to be done, but I’m unclear as to whether it is
actually happening. MPP doesn’t include their phone number on their
mailings anymore, which is annoying. I can’t tell if this is really
happening, or just something MPP wishes would happen.

Barr Amendment

MPP says the “Barr Amendment” was dropped from the D.C. spending bill so the
medical marijuana law that was approved by voters 11 years ago can now go
into effect. That is a positive change that we can believe in. I’ll give
that effort an unconditional “A”.

States’ Rights Medical Marijuana Bill in the U.S. House

Barney Frank’s bill would give states the right to enact medical marijuana
laws without federal interference. The bill would also classify marijuana
in federal Schedule II which says it has a high potential for abuse and
medical use with severe restrictions. I would not call cultivation,
distribution without profit, and authorized use with a doctor’s note a
severe restriction, nor do I consider marijuana to have a high potential for
abuse. Of course MPP fails to even mention the Schedule II
reclassification, which makes you wonder what MPP’s agenda is. On the
bright side, anyone can petition the DEA to remove marijuana from Schedule
II, so as long as the bill doesn’t prevent anyone from seeking rescheduling,
I guess it’s okay. I would give this a “C”, but I’m giving MPP an “F” for
failing to mention the Schedule II classification. I would prefer that MPP
give me the facts, instead of hiding things from me.

Defederalization Bill

I would give the effort to defederalize marijuana a “C” because marijuana is
already misclassified. Marijuana has accepted medical use in the United
States. Has MPP noticed? Thirteen states say it has accepted medical use.
MPP apparently reads drug laws the same way the DEA reads them. But, hey,
if you want to defederalize marijuana, I’ll go for it.

Medical Marijuana Bill in the U.S. Senate

See my comments for the House bill, it’s the same. MPP hopes some U.S.
Senator will introduce one.

Coburn Amendment

Nice job defeating the anti-medical marijuana bills. That gets an
unqualified “A”.

Webb Bill

Yes, Jim Webb’s bill to reduce over-incarceration is a great idea. I hear
there is something similar being considered in the Iowa Legislature. It’s
about time. An unqualified “A” for this effort.

Source: Statement by Carl Olsen