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Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Discussion Thread: Press Secretary Jen Psaki Holds a Briefing - 02/16/2021 | Live 11:30 AM ET - Politics

Discussion Thread: Press Secretary Jen Psaki Holds a Briefing - 02/16/2021 | Live 11:30 AM ET - Politics


Discussion Thread: Press Secretary Jen Psaki Holds a Briefing - 02/16/2021 | Live 11:30 AM ET

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:03 AM PST

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki briefs reporters and responds to questions.


The Press Conference is scheduled to begin at 11:30 AM ET. You can watch live online on

You can also follow online via

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Topic Tuesday: Legalization of Marijuana

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 09:13 AM PST

Welcome to our (rarely) recurring event, Topic Tuesday, on /r/Politics! With each segment we'll select a point of political discussion and pose it to the community to discuss and debate. Posts will include basic information on the issue at hand, opinions from leading politicians, and links to more data so that readers can decide for themselves where they stand. For more information, rules, and a list of past Topic Tuesdays, check out our wiki.


Background

Marijuana, generally unregulated in the first part of United States history, began facing significant restrictions in the 1900s and continued to be focused on in several pieces of legislation through the latter part of the 20th century including the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 followed by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Mandatory sentencing minimums enacted during the administration of President Ronald Reagan legislated necessary legal action be taken against drug offenses, often including the use or distribution of Marijuana.

The administration of President Reagan also saw the AIDS crisis break out in the United States. A resurgence occurred of interest in marijuana for medical usage, with AIDS patients reporting significant relief from its usage. A large percentage of these patients being concentrated in San Francisco and Los Angeles may have contributed to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, a California law which was the first in the nation to defy federal regulations in permitting citizens with a doctor's note to cultivate and possess marijuana for medical usage. However, the 2001 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative ruled that medical exemption could not be used to bypass federal law. This was followed by the 2005 Supreme Court decision in Gonzales v. Raich, in which the court ruled that users and distributors of medical marijuana in California could still be prosecuted under federal law despite its legality in that state. This led to a surge in the 2000s of federal Drug Enforcement Agency arrests of medical users within California.

As further states and jurisdictions passed their own legislation loosening regulations on medical marijuana, further court cases would have long-term impacts on their enactment. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on Conant v. McCaffrey in 2000 determined that physicians had the right to recommend marijuana usage to patients, but not in fact to prescribe it. From a national standpoint, the Rohrabacher–Farr Amendment, first adopted in 2014, prevents federal prosecution of individuals acting in accordance of state medical marijuana law. Between the Rohrabacher–Farr Amendment and the United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative SCOTUS decision, the status of medical marijuana in many states is such that one may obtain and use it in accordance with state law while still being in violation of federal law - though relevant prosecution against those individuals, even if pursued, will likely be unsuccessful.

With regards to legislation surrounding marijuana used for recreational purposes, individual states have been slower to adopt allowances. The first statewide legalization of recreational marijuana occurred in 2012 in Washington and Colorado, allowing for professional cultivation and sale. Since then 11 more states have followed suit, in addition to two territories plus Washington DC. In 2013 during the Obama administration the Justice Department issued internal governance known as the Cole Memorandum, stating that prosecution should halt for federal marijuana crimes within states that had legalized such activity. However, the memorandum was rescinded in 2018 under the Trump administration. No further federal-level guidance has been issued, meaning that the Justice Department may choose to federally prosecute for marijuana possession, use or distribution at the time of this post - even if such activity is legal in the state it occurs in. At this time leading recreational marijuana dispensaries still do business in cash and without banking partners, as financial institutions may face federal penalties for aiding these dispensaries.

Leading Opinions

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris both have history with anti-marijuana action during their time in the legislative branch. Currently however Biden's website states, "Biden believes no one should be in jail because of cannabis use. As president, he will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions. And, he will support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes, leave decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states, and reschedule cannabis as a schedule II drug so researchers can study its positive and negative impacts."

Donald Trump's WH Press Secretary Sean Spicer in 2017 stated belief in a link between marijuana use and the opioid crisis, while clarifying President Trump's sympathy towards users of medical marijuana. In 2018, AG Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum that had previously halted federal prosecution for state-by-state legal marijuana usage, possession and distribution.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) stated in 2017, "I go to the treatment centers. I talk to the addicts. I always ask, 'How did you get started?' Most told me they started out with recreational marijuana. Legalizing recreational marijuana is something I have not been able to accept or support. What about medical marijuana? What about commercial cannabis? These are things I don't know much about. But I'm interested in learning and finding out more. That's what I'm doing now." Manchin has pledged to maintain the Senate filibuster pertinent to marijuana legislation, meaning that it would require 60 votes to pass.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is a supporter of marijuana law reform, significantly from a states' rights perspective. In 2020 he met with representatives from the National Cannabis Industry Association, who released a statement that reads in part "Senator Paul has been a long-time supporter of cannabis policy reform, and is a cosponsor of the SAFE Banking Act. We are meeting to express our gratitude and to discuss ways in which we can move effective banking reform through the Senate this session."

Further Reading

[These links represent a variety of ideas and viewpoints, and none are endorsed by the mod team. We encourage readers to research the issue on their own preferred outlets.]

Britannica ProCon: Should Recreational Marijuana be Legal?

TheHill: Matt Gaetz warns GOP that arguments against legalizing marijuana increasingly unpopular

Politico: 'There's no stopping the industry now': Democratic control is a big win for marijuana

The Federalist: 7 Arguments For Legalizing Marijuana That No One Should Believe

NPR: From Marijuana To Mushrooms, Voters Want Drug Laws Eased

Discussion Questions

  • Are you in favor of legal marijuana for medicinal purposes? How should this be enacted & how should the plant be produced/distributed?

  • Are you in favor of legal marijuana for recreational purposes? Should this be enacted federally, or state-by-state?

  • If in favor, what restrictions do you believe should be replaced on legalization (e.g. taxes or age gates)?

  • Do you believe that individuals who broke marijuana-related laws in the past should be released from prison, or have their arrest records expunged?

  • Do you believe that other drugs should follow suit, such as the Oakland, CA decriminalization of Psilocybin mushrooms and peyote?


Enjoy discussion! This thread will be moderated - please keep in mind our civility rules and our rule against meta posting in these threads.

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Trump and Giuliani sued for conspiracy to incite deadly Capitol riot

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:18 AM PST

Leading House Democrat sues Donald Trump under a post-Civil War law for conspiracy to incite US Capitol riot

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:05 AM PST

An impeachment manager says Republicans privately told her she made a compelling case to convict Trump, but they acquitted him anyway

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:04 AM PST

The 43 Senators of the Republican Sedition Caucus Are Every Bit As Guilty as Donald Trump

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:11 AM PST

Anti-Ted Cruz Activists Fundraise for 'Traitor' Billboards in His Texas Neighborhood

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:32 AM PST

‘Written By Gaslight’: People Aren’t Buying McConnell’s Reasons For Acquitting Trump

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:51 AM PST

Insurrectionists are rushing to delete evidence of their participation in the Capitol riot, report says

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:08 AM PST

Biden stimulus plan would boost incomes for nation’s poorest by 33%, analysis shows

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:19 AM PST

Republican Party is now a terrorist organization — and none of this is a surprise | Republicans have revealed their true colors in the ugliest fashion — and too many liberals want to look away

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:14 AM PST

Poll: A majority of Americans say they want Trump to be unable to hold future office

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:51 AM PST

Impeachment manager mystified at Pence's silence after targeting by Trump for mob attack

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:29 AM PST

‘You joined the Devil’s Army’: Adam Kinzinger reveals letter ‘brainwashed’ Trump-loving relatives sent him after he voted for impeachment

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 06:48 AM PST

Capitol Police officers give vote of no confidence in leaders

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:15 AM PST

Democrats unveil bill to end tax break for investment managers

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:56 AM PST

Ted Cruz Tweet Attacking California Energy Policies Resurfaces Amid Texas Power Outages

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:48 AM PST

Rep. Swalwell: 'We could have had a confession signed by Donald Trump, that wasn’t going to change their minds'

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 09:37 PM PST

Block Trump from office with the 14th Amendment's aiding an insurrection exclusion

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:40 AM PST

As Deb Haaland Faces GOP Backlash Over Role in Pipeline Protests, Progressives Say: 'Confirm Her Immediately'

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:16 AM PST

Pizzagate’s violent legacy The gunman who terrorized a D.C. pizzeria is out of prison. The QAnon conspiracy theories he helped unleash are out of control.

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:16 AM PST

An old Ted Cruz tweet mocking California's 'failed energy policies' resurfaces as storm leaves millions of Texans without power

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 09:32 AM PST

'Sounds Like a Passing Grade': CBO Says $15 Wage Would Have Bigger Budget Impact Than GOP Tax Cut Provisions | "I'm gonna fight as hard as I can, and I believe that we will succeed in including the minimum wage in the reconciliation bill," said Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 06:37 AM PST

Mitch McConnell Proved He’s Even More Craven Than Ted Cruz

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 02:39 AM PST

Conservatives Are Seriously Accusing Wind Turbines of Killing People in the Texas Blackouts

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 08:54 AM PST

Veterans Used Their Military Training to Plot Violence in Capitol Riot, Feds Say

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 02:22 AM PST

Opinion: Republicans have tied themselves to an anvil

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:55 AM PST

Professor quits after being accused of posing as a female immigrant to make racist, sexist tweets - All news

Professor quits after being accused of posing as a female immigrant to make racist, sexist tweets - All news


Professor quits after being accused of posing as a female immigrant to make racist, sexist tweets

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:32 AM PST

Woman, child dead from carbon monoxide poisoning after trying to stay warm in Texas

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:33 AM PST

Michael Jordan donates $10 million to open two North Carolina medical clinics

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 04:55 PM PST

N.A.A.C.P. Sues Trump and Giuliani Over Election Fight and Jan. 6 Riot

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:29 AM PST

Wood burning at home now biggest cause of UK particle pollution

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:08 AM PST

Several million without power in Texas as temperatures plunge as low as -20 C

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 06:43 AM PST

British soldiers sacked for being gay can get their medals back

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 04:21 PM PST

Hospitals still ration medical N95 masks as stockpiles swell

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 04:07 AM PST

30 Taliban militants killed in explosion during bomb-making class

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 01:40 PM PST

Microsoft says it found 1,000-plus developers' fingerprints on the SolarWinds attack

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 06:02 PM PST

US fast food workers hold Black History Month strikes to demand $15 an hour | Minimum wage

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 01:18 PM PST

Power outage leaves health officials scrambling to administer 5,400 doses of coronavirus vaccine

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:22 AM PST

The 5-year-old injured in a car crash involving former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid is awake

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 12:45 AM PST

Fauci wins $1 million Israeli prize for 'defending science'

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 10:10 AM PST

Cold-stunned sea turtles found on South Padre Island following severe winter weather

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:37 AM PST

After shooting, unrest, Wyoming gets its first Black sheriff

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 11:14 AM PST

Appeals court OKs release of NYC police discipline records

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:59 AM PST

Princess Latifa: 'Hostage' ordeal of Dubai ruler's daughter revealed

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:06 AM PST

South Dakota judge rejects amendment legalizing marijuana

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 09:40 AM PST

Charge dropped against white woman who called police on Black bird-watcher

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:50 AM PST

Lancaster County police officer accused of harassing Black residents

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 02:21 AM PST

Court orders end to nationwide curfew in Netherlands

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 05:40 AM PST

More parents seek ADHD diagnosis and drugs for Zoom schooling

Posted: 16 Feb 2021 07:49 AM PST

Obamacare enrollment reopens for Americans in need of coverage amid pandemic

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 02:08 PM PST

Monday, February 15, 2021

Man back behind bars for carjacking 16-year-old girl just 20 minutes after prison release - All news

Man back behind bars for carjacking 16-year-old girl just 20 minutes after prison release - All news


Man back behind bars for carjacking 16-year-old girl just 20 minutes after prison release

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 02:59 AM PST

Hundreds of people are volunteering to escort elderly Asian Americans to help keep them safe

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 05:44 AM PST

Power cut across Texas as snow, ice blanket southern Plains

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 02:39 AM PST

Controversial art dealer's daughter will return over 100 antiquities to Cambodia

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 01:21 AM PST

New, Daily Coronavirus Cases Drop Below 100K For First Time In Months

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 01:55 AM PST

2 arrested on weapons charges near White House, authorities say

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 04:51 AM PST

7 Virus Variants Found in U.S. Carrying the Same Mutation - The New York Times

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 07:29 PM PST

LAPD investigating alleged Valentine's Day photo mocking George Floyd shared by cops

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 04:44 PM PST

A suspect is dead after 12-year-old shoots at intruders during attempted robbery, police say

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 01:12 PM PST

Trump impeachment lawyer Michael van der Veen's home vandalized

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 12:58 PM PST

Recovered Covid patients have been reinfected with new virus strains, WHO says

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 03:25 PM PST

Average US virus cases dip below 100K for 1st time in months

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 10:39 AM PST

Philadelphia green-lights plans for first-ever tiny-house village for homeless

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 11:03 AM PST

Muslim woman attacked in Meerut for running 'successful shop', booked by police too - Maktoob

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 07:55 AM PST

Wall Street regulators signal tougher approach to industry after GameStop frenzy

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 07:34 PM PST

Russian cargo ship heads for space station, loaded with 2-and-a-half tons of supplies and equipment

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 01:45 AM PST

Myanmar protests resume, Internet restored as military circles

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 10:40 PM PST

CNN Exclusive: WHO Wuhan mission finds possible signs of wider original outbreak in 2019

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 02:27 PM PST

Guinea declares new Ebola outbreak

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 02:37 PM PST

Lafayette, Louisiana among cities ignoring pleas to make masks mandatory

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 06:58 AM PST

Johnson looks for path out of lockdown after 15 million vaccinated

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 03:36 AM PST

Minneapolis to spend $6.4M to recruit more police officers

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 04:25 AM PST

Covid: Husband not guilty of murdering wife in lockdown

Posted: 15 Feb 2021 07:19 AM PST

New York City : Man charged with deadly subway stabbings

Posted: 14 Feb 2021 06:14 PM PST