The LAT  has an interesting piece today on the DEA and selective enforcement of drug laws against medical marijuana providers  in California:   DEA targets larger marijuana providers. 

The piece itself defies easy excerpting, but is worth reading and raises several interesting questions.

First, it is an interesting study in federalism.  The activities in question are legal under California law, but the DEA does not recognize those laws as valid.

Second, there is the clear issue of selective enforcement.  (Although clearly from the story, some of these folks aren’t just in it for the altruism of it all).

Third, something that this situation provides, but is largely ignored, is the question of whether there is any empirical evidence to suggest that the obvious proliferation of easy marijuana availability in these areas has, in fact, led to substantial social, criminal or other problems for the communities in question.  If marijuana availability and usage does, in fact, result in societal effects that are worth the billions and billions of dollars spent on combating it, then surely there would be some excellent evidence in these areas.  If, however, it does not, then perhaps it should suggest revisions to our approach to marijuana.

3 Comments

1. [...] Writing about the DEA’s selective enforcement efforts against California’s medical marijuana providers, Steven Taylor includes a paranthetical (Although clearly from the story, some of these folks aren’t just in it for the altruism of it all). [...]

   Pingback by To Market, To Market § Unqualified Offerings — Monday, January 1, 2024 @ 12:02 pm

2. I notice some money-generating ads on this-here blog of yours, Dr. Taylor. I suspect you’re not just in it for the altruism of it all.

   Not that there’s anything bad about this, whether you’re a blogger or a marijuana seller.

   Comment by Jennifer — Monday, January 1, 2024 @ 12:24 pm

3. Jenifer,

   As I noted over at Jim’s place, that really wasn’t my point.

   Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Monday, January 1, 2024 @ 3:01 pm

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