DEA promises crackdown on pot dispensaries despite new law

John J. Arvanitis

Despite voting in favor of medicinal marijuana last November, it looks like the people of Massachusetts aren’t out of the woods yet as far as the federal government is concerned:

Prospective pot shop owners be warned: New England’s top narcotics cop says federal agents won’t hesitate to come down on dispensaries that pop up next year under the Bay State’s medical marijuana law.

John J. Arvanitis, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division, told the Herald in an exclusive interview that the feds will probe pot pharmacies as they see fit.

“Marijuana is still a controlled substance,” Arvanitis said. “DEA is committed to investigating individuals who are involved in the distribution of marijuana. DEA goes to where the information and evidence take it. If we become aware that individuals are involved in marijuana distribution, we’ll investigate it.”

Come on … no-one really expected the Obama administration to take the will of the people (not to mention scientific research debunking virtually every single anti-pot myth) seriously, did they?

On the other hand, more tension might just bring about a much-belated resolution to the conflict between federal and state drug laws. And with a little luck, the courts will rule in favor of common sense and personal liberty over paranoia-induced prohibition.

(via The Agitator)