Loretta Lynch Says She Doesn't Support Marijuana Legalization Or Obama's Views On Pot

[B Calm]

Loretta Lynch, the nominee for attorney general, said Wednesday during her confirmation hearing that she does not support the legalization of marijuana, and that she disagrees with President Barack Obama's remarks about the drug being no more dangerous than alcohol.

During her hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) asked, "Do you support the legalization of marijuana?"

"Senator, I do not," Lynch replied.

Sessions then went on to quote a 2014 New Yorker profile of Obama in which the president discussed his marijuana use as a young person. In that article, Obama called pot a "bad habit and a vice" and said he views it as more or less similar to the cigarettes he also used to smoke. "I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol," Obama said of the drug.

When Sessions asked Lynch if she agreed with Obama's remarks about his marijuana use, she appeared to take a harder line than the president.

"I certainly don't hold that view and don't agree with that view of marijuana as a substance," Lynch said. "I think the president was speaking from his personal experience and personal opinion, neither of which I'm able to share. But I can tell you that not only do I not support legalization of marijuana, it is not the position of the Department of Justice currently to support legalization, nor would it be the position if I were confirmed as attorney general."

Recreational marijuana is already legal in Colorado and Washington, and will soon be allowed in Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia (although sales of the drug are still banned in D.C.). Additionally, 23 states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes.

Obama said during a recent YouTube interview that he suspects more states will look into legalization, citing his administration's hands-off approach with regard to Colorado and Washington. At least 10 more states are considering legalizing marijuana in the next two years, and a recent report from a cannabis industry research firm projected that by 2020, there could be as many as 18 states where recreational marijuana is legal.

Under federal law, however, marijuana remains entirely illegal. States that have proceeded with legalization have been able to do so because of Department of Justice guidance that urges federal prosecutors to refrain from targeting state-legal marijuana operations.

Earlier in the afternoon, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asked Lynch if she considered the DOJ's guidance "good policy."

Lynch didn't directly answer, but said that the DOJ's guidance still allows federal prosecutors to go after marijuana cases that involve at-risk children, driving under the influence of the drug or marijuana crossing state lines -- especially when it's going from a state where marijuana is legal into a state where it isn't. She also said the DOJ is looking at the availability of edible products "and the risk of those products falling into the hands of children and causing great harm there."

When asked what advice she might give to officials in a state that's considering the legalization of marijuana, Lynch simply said she'd refer them to current DOJ policy on narcotics, and that she'd tell them federal laws would be enforced.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/28/loretta-lynch-marijuana_n_6565962.html

[hobbit709]

1. Here we go again-another incarnation of Harry J. Anslinger.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Idiot.

[HappyMe]

3. Reefer madness!!1

[treestar]

4. Did she get a chance to back that up with any reasons?

As an old friend of mine used to say, drunks run red lights. People high on pot stop at green lights.

She should be for prohibition again, too.

[B Calm]

5. Pretty immoral of her to deny cancer patients medical marijuana!

[Warren Stupidity]

13. There is actually not a lot of evidence of any significant risk from potted drivers.

Not that anyone should drive stoned, but unlike alcohol it is not a significant risk factor.

[F4lconF16]

58. The one study I remember

stated that people who drove high were significantly less likely to get into an accident, because they were more cautious. No idea if that's a good study (and I don't remember where I saw it) but it makes sense to me.

I still refuse to drive under the influence of anything--I've been in too many close calls where a half-second difference in reaction time would have gotten myself or someone else killed. I have also had to refuse to ride in friends' cars who were under the influence for the same reason. It's dangerous.

Of course, driving doesn't include biking on the back roads thoroughly stoned

[Warren DeMontague]

76. Potted plants, on the other hand

should not drive under any circumstances.

[pangaia]

42. Can I use that one?

[Alittleliberal]

82. Can confirm

[PoliticAverse]

6. "federal laws would be enforced." - remember, despite what someone might tell you, pot

Last edited Thu Jan 29, 2015, 09:40 AM - Edit history (1)

is still illegal at the federal level.

[pipoman]

19. We'll see how long that lasts if they start taking enforcement action

In states that have made their decision. Even states with no legal pot are considering decriminalization....it won't take too much more public support before the pressure in Washington results in legislative action....

[Scuba]

25. So is banking fraud. I'm sure she'll be all over that.

[Buenaventura]

31. indeed! n/t

[mountain grammy]

48. Oh for sure.

[CrispyQ]

69. Thread win. -nt

[on point]

43. Except in cases of rap danger- like toture

[Cha]

7. Well, the President will be her boss.

[B Calm]

9. My fingers are crossed that she is NOT confirmed! But, Republicans will probably like her!

[kelliekat44]

20. She expressed her view. She never said she would not follow the US laws and she doesn't pass them,

Congress does.

[B Calm]

24. I worry that she will ignore the state laws on marijuana!

[Lochloosa]

18. Presidents have a very hands off approch to Attorney Generals.

There is a thing called Obstruction of Justice.

Ask John Dean and Nixon.

[pipoman]

23. Dean/Nixon is a completely different kettle of fish

than this. This is states demanding change. The president can't change laws, he can direct the resources of every administrative leader in his cabinet including the attorney general....which is exactly what he's done....if it were up to Holder there would have been daily raids in Denver.

[Politicalboi]

81. JFK and RFK?

[sendero]

8. What little I've heard of her...

... suggests she's all about buttering the committee's bun's so it's hard to say if she is being honest or not.

If so, she's another high-functioning moron.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. All This Over A Plant

A plant. Ridiculous.

[SammyWinstonJack]

30. A very profitable plant wrt to the WAR ON DRUGS!

[ProfessorGAC]

63. I Think We Should Ban Wheat

After all it can be used to make whiskey and beer. And grapes because, you know, wine.

Also, highly profitable ventures. But, those plants are completely ok. That makes sense. Or not.

[Warren Stupidity]

11. The stupid continues unabated.

[davidn3600]

12. Prison industrial complex is now as big of a business as the military industrial complex

Got to keep those prisons full...

[sorefeet]

14. I am so sick of the IGNORANCE

I am tired of peoples opinions getting in the way of FACTS. How can such educated people be so fucking stupid. Or are they puppets for a big paycheck and don't really care if they are right or wrong.

[Duval]

38. I'm with you on

this, sorefeet! Ignorance abounds and so do the flipping paychecks. The big Pharma wellspring keeps cashing in. Sigh!

[logosoco]

15. This sounds very unprogressive and old fashioned.

Is she not aware of the medical benefits of this plant?
I wonder what pharmaceutical or private correction companies she has in her portfolio.
Maybe she is just taking this stance to get confirmed. I need to check out more about her on other issues.

[Thespian2]

45. Very Good Post

I would not vote for some one so uninformed. I'm sure Big Pharma is watching the profits being made in states that have legal weed. They will be selling weed as soon as enough states have made it legal. My prediction, anyway.

[F4lconF16]

59. Too bad, really.

They'll pass regulation as soon as they can to drive the small producers out, which is unfortunate for the end user. Watch prices increase and quality plunge when they get in the market. At least this is something that isn't too hard to grow at home, even illegally, if that's what ends up being required.

[Alittleliberal]

83. The black market will probably continue to thrive for a good 25 years

While taxes level out.

[F4lconF16]

84. If not longer.

As long as the purchasing age is 21, college students everywhere will create a large market.

[tridim]

16. This is so sad to hear.

Wish I had a vote against her, but I don't.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. I sure don't see her offering any support for her backward, hyper conservative opinions

No more idiots in high office, she should not be confirmed. It is not appropriate when so many States have weighed the issue for many years and made clear choices supported by strong and informed majorities of voters. Here it passed by 12.22 percentage points. The people have spoken and their public servants need to serve them, not some personal vendetta and set of prejudices.
She should not be confirmed. I am so sick of not being counted even when the entire West Coast objects to this woman's atavistic ideas. Is this a nation of the people or is it not? Millions and millions of Americans think she's wrong and we have made law. She should respect those laws or go find another way to make her fortune.

[m-lekktor]

21. disappointing. nt

[NaturalHigh]

22. Can you blame her? Just think of all the fatal pot overdoses every year!

Oh wait...

[Tom Ripley]

26. Fuck all that noise

[Rex]

27. Arresting non-violent drug offenders is a billion dollar industry

so of course she is going to side against legalizing MJ. That would mean less money and we know it is always about the money and never about US. If Big Pharma finds a way to make money off of MJ, the feds might then consider...but I doubt it. MJ is the most politicized drug on the planet. MJ proves that some laws are pathetic and based on nothing more than fear.

She can do whatever she wants to, people will still keep smoking MJ and growing it. FUCK the feds.

[navarth]

39. +1

[rurallib]

44. Selling legal intoxicants and worthless (even dangerous) prescriptions

are multi-billion dollar industries also which must be protected.

[F4lconF16]

60. Yup, and it keeps the uppity blacks in their place.

The war on drugs isn't just about money, it's about racial division and voter disenfranchisement too. (Of course, that leads to more profit at the top level, so it's about money anyways.)

She can do whatever she wants to, people will still keep smoking MJ and growing it. FUCK the feds.

Damn straight. It's not that hard, we've done it for years, and we'll keep on doing it as long as we need to.

[20score]

28. There has been a significant decrease in deaths in Mexico due

to legalization in parts of the U.S. People like her are responsible for most of those still being murdered. Reactionaries like her make me ill.

[fredamae]

29. Thar's Corporate Profit To Protect

in them thar fields.....Lives to ruin, cash to be stolen and non-violent Bodies behind bars for Prison Profit.

Do. Not. Threaten. Corporate. Profit.
DC's Most Important Corporate Mandate.

[elias49]

32. FWIW, she had to say that.

Support for marijuana legalization would be a deal breaker in terms of confirmation.
What happens later is anyone's guess.

[RedCappedBandit]

33. I'm sick of these out of touch control freaks making decisions for us

[brewens]

34. Some of them just can't let it go. The adjacent town across the state line where it's legal

is going through a big stink over it. The rednecks just don't want to give in. I'm not sure if they passed anything to block shops and growing opperations or if they are just refusing to zone for and issue licenses but they are blocking it. The city council meetings over there have been pretty heated.

They just hate it like the right has mindlessly hated Obama. I'd suspect most of the anti-weed crowd are also birthers, teabaggers and whatever else. Since the sixtes when they hated the "filthy hippies" and their pot, they have never and will never get over it.

Allowing weed and then seeing it really causes no harm is their worst nightmare. They see that as being beaten and forced to eat shit!

I would hope that we don't rub it in their faces too much, as tempting as that is. There are a few rednecks I'd love to piss off! Over there in the next state, I think smoking openly in public places is illegal anyway. It sure would be nice though to be able to fire up a big fatty anywhere smoking cigarettes is allowed!

[workinclasszero]

35. How in the hell can people rise up to such heights of power

after i assume years and years of education and be ignorant as f*** about marijuana?

I just have to assume such persons are willfully ignorant.

Because.....big money for police forces in pot? Friends of Big Pharma? Buddies of companies running private prisons????

[freebrew]

40. College degrees do not guarantee intelligence...

a huge problem in the country right now.

Don't forget the testing labs profit. They must really make a killing.

[think]

36. More interested in how laws regarding corporate crime will be enforced and violations prosecuted /nt

[rurallib]

46. Just one- one - Wall Street criminal, please before I die!

Wonder if some honest senator will ask if she will keep her hands off Wall Street?

[Duval]

37. RATS! nt

[raouldukelives]

41. If pot were legalized the recidivism rate would plummet and corporate profits would be threatened.

So, for some people, that is a bad thing.

[jwirr]

47. What they should have asked her is: Do you favor enforcing federal laws against mj in states that

have legalized or decriminalized it? The AG has the choice. As a prosecutor she has been prosecuting these cases.

[B Calm]

73. Bingo!

[lonestarnot]

49. Got to sustain that law enforcement economy you know. Judges, lawyers, cops, probation officers,

ct ordered substance abuse programs, social workers, ct ordered rehab programs need their dough. Sounds like archaic energy co.s that want to kill solar energy. Old nag.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

50. when asked to explain her reasoning....

"Because the rules say so. That's what we've always done. It's BAD. We know it's bad because that's what the rules say. We're not gonna change course now---it's always been this way and dangit, we like it this way."

Plus--Tough On Crime!


YAY RULES!!!!!

[mountain grammy]

51. Oh come on now.. does she work for the prison industry

or big pharma

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

52. Doesn't matter for legalization as far as I can see.

The Attourney General doesn't decide what is legal and what isn't. That's up to legislative bodies.

The AG only matters in terms of enforcing current laws.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

53. she needs to fuck off.

[SamKnause]

62. This trashy 61 year old lady agrees.

She needs to fuck off and President Obama needs to find INFORMED people to nominate.

If he is aware of her position, he is a fucking hypocrite.

I am sick of the fucking games !!!!!!!!!!!

ZERO deaths attributed to cannabis.

How long will the insanity continue !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bravenak]

77. That would make me happy.nt

[theaocp]

54. I'm glad she was vetted.

What an absolute dumbass. Step aside, like, five minutes ago.

[fbc]

55. "Federal laws would be enforced"

Can we get a Democrat to nominate someone who isn't a 1980s drug warrior?

[G_j]

56. next..

[CaptainTruth]

57. Does she ever say she OPPOSES legalization?

I don't see that she did.

She has to choose her words very carefully, this is politics.

You can support something, oppose it, or be neutral. She said she doesn't support legalization, a wise move if she hopes to be confirmed by a Republican Congress, so that means she's either opposed or neutral. My bet is she's neutral, which is what we should want from the DOJ. Do we really want a DOJ selectively favoring some laws/policies & not others? Remember that goes both ways, with laws we like & laws we don't.

And when she spoke of edibles she spoke of the risk of them falling into the hands of children, as if she takes it for a given that edibles will be available. She didn't say they were looking at ways to eliminate edibles from the market, which is what you'd do if you OPPOSED them.

Read carefully my friends.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

64. I understand what you are saying. I hope you right.

[Tsiyu]

61. So, another authoritarian illogical fool who wants to gut the treasury

for a war on a plant that most of America wants legal?

Is this Obama's new choice?

She can go to hell, and I just hope Ms. Lynch NEVER suffers the debilitating, horrific symptoms that are soothed with cannabis.

I am so sick of this medieval attitude about a goddamned PLANT that has been used for thousands of years. It's like living in some really bad cartoon with a bunch of low IQ superstitious goons.

I hope Lynch FALLS on her ass, but of course, she will probably be held up in high esteem for persecuting sick people and people who don't want to drink. Bet she loves her cocktails and her prescription narcotics!

FUCK her, and screw Obama for choosing someone like that.

Sickening as hell.....I am truly disgusted with Loretta Lynch, the backwards, superstitious, illogical FOOL.

[SamKnause]

65. I fucking agree 100% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bigwillq]

66. Dear Congress: Please vote NOT to confirm Ms. Lynch.

Thanks in advance.

[Bluenorthwest]

67. So tired of idiots being elevated to high power. She sneers at the will of the voters of Oregon, of

Washington, of Colorado and of all the Medical Marijuana States such as California. Contempt for the will of the people is unacceptable.

[Bluenorthwest]

68. Loretta says: 'Prisons need meat!!!!!!'

nt

[truebrit71]

70. "We'll get back to you....NEXT!!"

[frylock]

71. yay

[Nye Bevan]

72. Excellent. Putting folks in prison for smoking a joint should be the absolute top priority of AGs.

God forbid that such dangerous criminals walk the streets among us.

[Warren DeMontague]

74. Gotta protect that drug war gravy train.

[Warren DeMontague]

75. Can we get someone else?

This is unacceptable, at this point. Enough, already.

[villager]

78. Christ, are we ever gonna get *any* good appointments out of this President...

...before he leaves office?

[Politicalboi]

79. Get rid of her already

Let's worry about "the children". Better to lock people up. What about those kids who's parents are in jail for a fucking plant. I hope she is NOT confirmed, I don't trust her one bit. Go have a drink Ms. Lynch , you don't belong on the job as Attorney General.

[Anansi1171]

80. Democrats are losing me and walking back marijuana reform...

...and the burgeoning market for mmj and recreational marijuana is an absolute deal breaker and show stopper.

Shame on Loretta Lynch! And for all boomers and remaining Me generation hold outs convinced of mjs evils, please just go away and stop dictating how we deal with the world you made. GenX and millennials know this medicine.

Please just go back to the 20th Century.

[Arwinnick]

85. So disappointed.

It's another setback to the cause.Why are the politco's so scared of this issue?Have they really sold they're souls to the corporate gods?