A White House spokesperson has told the Washington Times that the Obama administration will re-evaluate policies of DEA interference in state medical marijuana laws.
“The president believes that federal resources should not be used to circumvent state laws, and as he continues to appoint senior leadership to fill out the ranks of the federal government, he expects them to review their policies with that in mind,” White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said.
Obama repeatedly said during his campaign that he would end the DEA raids, and that he supported medical marijuana “with the same controls as other drugs prescribed by doctors.” A Zogby poll released yesterday said 72% of voters think President Obama should honor his campaign pledge to end the raids.
“Cal NORML is delighted to hear that the White House has affirmed its intent to end the DEA’s medical marijuana raids in California,” said Dale Gieringer of California NORML, a co-sponsor of Prop. 215, the voter-approved initiative that legalized medical marijuana in California in 1996. “Thanks to our many supporters who have bombarded the White House with phone calls, FAXes and e-mails in the past two weeks. Coming weeks will show whether the White House is willing to put its money where its mouth is, but this is the most hopeful development in federal marijuana policy since the passage of Prop. 215 (or before).”