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.