US REP wants feds to pull back on med pot raids - Washington State - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

vta · 02-25-2010, 10:10 PM

By Joey Bunch
The Denver Post

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, wants "rogue" federal agents to lay off medical marijuana dispensaries after a raid at the home of Highlands Ranch grower on Feb. 12.

Tuesday, Polis sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to instruct agents to abide by the Justice Department's Oct. 19 directive to allow deference to state laws on legalized medical marijuana use, or to clarify the new position.

Polis posted his letter this afternoon on the progressive political website Square State. In a preamble he referred to "rogue agents ... harassing and raiding our medical marijuana dispensaries."

Reached by phone in Washington this evening, Polis also invoked the White House.

"I think President Obama has clearly stated his position on respecting states that have voted to allow medical marijuana," he said. "I believe the words and action of the agent in charge is in contradiction to the will of the voters of Colorado."

In the letter, he noted a Denver Post story on Feb. 13 that quoted DEA agent Jeffrey Sweetin as saying, "We're still going to continue to investigate and arrest people ... Technically, every dispensary in the state is in blatant violation of federal law."

The grower, Chris Bartkowicz, is free on $10,000 bond after his arrest on a drug-distribution charge. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized 224 marijuana plants.

He did not return a call for comment this evening.

Justice Department and DEA spokespeople were not immediately available for comment.

Experts have called the case precedent-setting.

"It strikes fear in the hearts of many medical marijuana patients in Colorado, and that's unfortunate," Polis said in an interview.

yardclippings · 02-27-2010, 04:33 AM

Scaary, good luck be with you all in Colorado! And the rest of us!

NiteTiger · 02-27-2010, 04:44 AM

Eh, I'd more excited if he'd gotten out in front of it when it happened, instead of waiting to see the popular response and 'polling' for his move.

Better than nothing though I guess

02-27-2010, 04:45 AM

Can we all just agree like 10% of D's nationwide are within compliance.

kmk420kali · 02-27-2010, 04:46 AM

No--

02-27-2010, 05:05 AM

phan · 02-27-2010, 04:51 PM

Good Article. More and more elected representatives are either seeing the light or starting to truely represent their constituents! I just wonder if the DEA agents are really "rogue" or if they continue to raid as part of hidden policy?

Tony Aroma · 03-05-2010, 01:43 AM

Maybe he's not a "rogue." Maybe he's on the payroll of a drug cartel. I wonder if anybody has checked out that possibility. Every dispensary that's shut down puts more money back into the black market.

GodzMedZZZ · 03-05-2010, 01:52 AM

Ill SMoke to that!

blackone · 03-05-2010, 01:59 AM

Anyone willing to murder prostitutes by the hundreds as soon as they're not useful any more would also be willing to pay high dividents to pigs - that's for sure. We're not talking $45 and a crack pipe here

02-25-2010, 10:10 PM	#1
vta Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,292	US REP wants feds to pull back on med pot raids By Joey Bunch The Denver Post U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, wants "rogue" federal agents to lay off medical marijuana dispensaries after a raid at the home of Highlands Ranch grower on Feb. 12. Tuesday, Polis sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to instruct agents to abide by the Justice Department's Oct. 19 directive to allow deference to state laws on legalized medical marijuana use, or to clarify the new position. Polis posted his letter this afternoon on the progressive political website Square State. In a preamble he referred to "rogue agents ... harassing and raiding our medical marijuana dispensaries." Reached by phone in Washington this evening, Polis also invoked the White House. "I think President Obama has clearly stated his position on respecting states that have voted to allow medical marijuana," he said. "I believe the words and action of the agent in charge is in contradiction to the will of the voters of Colorado." In the letter, he noted a Denver Post story on Feb. 13 that quoted DEA agent Jeffrey Sweetin as saying, "We're still going to continue to investigate and arrest people ... Technically, every dispensary in the state is in blatant violation of federal law." The grower, Chris Bartkowicz, is free on $10,000 bond after his arrest on a drug-distribution charge. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized 224 marijuana plants. He did not return a call for comment this evening. Justice Department and DEA spokespeople were not immediately available for comment. Experts have called the case precedent-setting. "It strikes fear in the hearts of many medical marijuana patients in Colorado, and that's unfortunate," Polis said in an interview. __________________ "When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson C'mon...You know you want to click this... American? Click here...
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02-27-2010, 04:33 AM	#2
yardclippings Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 91	Scaary, good luck be with you all in Colorado! And the rest of us! __________________ I live in the rain
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02-27-2010, 04:44 AM	#3
NiteTiger Tiger, Tiger, burning bright... Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,256	Eh, I'd more excited if he'd gotten out in front of it when it happened, instead of waiting to see the popular response and 'polling' for his move. Better than nothing though I guess __________________ *Remember - Every 'elite' started off as someone's bagseed* kingjobber - This hash just uncentered my chi Growing cannabis is only as complicated and expensive as you want it to be. Current Grow: Knowledge Guides: Diatomaceous Earth - The Best Pesticide You've Never Heard Of Pontiac's DIY Link-O-Rama Unofficial Glossary for New Growers The Water Cure- How, when, and why How to remove 'HPS Orange' quick and easy!
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02-27-2010, 04:45 AM	#4
Blue Dot Guest Posts: n/a	Can we all just agree like 10% of D's nationwide are within compliance.
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02-27-2010, 04:46 AM	#5
kmk420kali Freedom Fighter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 5,852	No-- __________________ With Red-Eyed Respect--Jim My GH at the pad-- https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread....=1#post4996785
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02-27-2010, 04:51 PM	#7
phan Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102	Good Article. More and more elected representatives are either seeing the light or starting to truely represent their constituents! I just wonder if the DEA agents are really "rogue" or if they continue to raid as part of hidden policy?
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03-05-2010, 01:43 AM	#8
Tony Aroma Let's Go - Two Smokes! Join Date: May 2007 Location: King of Donair Posts: 1,568	Maybe he's not a "rogue." Maybe he's on the payroll of a drug cartel. I wonder if anybody has checked out that possibility. Every dispensary that's shut down puts more money back into the black market. __________________ Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights. B. Marley
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03-05-2010, 01:52 AM	#9
GodzMedZZZ New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: In Da Wood Posts: 18	Ill SMoke to that!
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03-05-2010, 01:59 AM	#10
blackone Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,455	Anyone willing to murder prostitutes by the hundreds as soon as they're not useful any more would also be willing to pay high dividents to pigs - that's for sure. We're not talking $45 and a crack pipe here __________________ Inside: 1KW Indoor 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2009 2009 2008 2007 2007 Outside: Late start guerilla 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Low energy ground coupled cooler/dehumidifier? Keeping nordic outdoor strains as mothers. Let the voice of reason chime - Lemmy Kilmister
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