The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has been quietly bullying
doctors in Massachusetts. Since
the state legalized the use of medical marijuana a couple of years ago, some
physicians are associated with medical marijuana dispensaries, such as serving
on a board.
The DEA has been quietly paying visits to the homes and
offices of doctors associated with medical marijuana companies. They are giving an ultimatum to doctors
that they must choose between working with these companies or giving up their
DEA license.
Physicians and dentists who prescribe drugs and other
controlled substances are mandated to register with the DEA. This in itself is an abomination.
So doctors are now faced with a choice of giving up their
positions with medical marijuana companies or giving up their DEA license and
be prevented from legally prescribing medications.
Ironically, the U.S. House of Representatives recently
approved legislation that would stop DEA agents from raiding medical marijuana
dispensaries where states have legalized medical marijuana. If it gets to Obama’s desk, I wonder if
he’ll sign it.
What Constitution?
We know that the federal government doesn’t follow the
Constitution, but this is really a blatant violation. The politicians in DC pretend to pay allegiance to the
Constitution, but their actions and policies usually violate it.
If the Constitution were followed, there would be no federal
drug laws. There are no enumerated
powers that give the federal government such power. According to the 10th Amendment, this should be
left to the people or the states.
But the worst thing here is that states are explicitly
stating that medical marijuana is legal.
Yet, the federal government is still interfering with state law. This still continues with the pro-civil
liberties Obama (note the sarcasm) who promised in his initial campaign not to
interfere with states that legalize the drug for medicinal purposes.
Yes, Obama broke a campaign promise.
Big Government vs.
Individual Liberty
Medical marijuana has been legalized in 22 states since
2010. Marijuana itself has now
been legalized in two states.
These are steps towards liberty.
It is a slight loosening of the grip of big government.
Don’t for a minute think that this has happened because of
the generosity of politicians or because some of them all of a sudden saw the
light. This is all a result of
popular opinion.
Ideas have consequences and, in this case, it is a good
idea. More and more people are
realizing the absurdity of the drug war.
It is particularly obvious with marijuana, a drug that does far less
harm than alcohol. It is
especially absurd when the government prevents sick and dying people from
seeking relief. Medical marijuana
actually does help people without all of the bad side effects of other drugs.
The DEA is still trying to control and bully people, but it
has to be more discreet now.
Popular opinion is slowly shifting away from big government and more
towards individual liberty, at least for this issue.
The next step is to abolish the DEA. I’m sure many of the doctors in
Massachusetts would appreciate that.