A recent  op-ed in The Huffington Post by Scott Morgan from Stopthedrugwar.org discusses whether or not the federal government is going too far in its attacks on medical marijuana with the recent threats against Harborside Health Center.

What makes this event stand out is Harborside’s unparalleled reputation for safety, security and compliance with local laws. The decision to target them contradicts an April interview in which President Obama toldRolling Stone that enforcement efforts focused only on dispensaries that illegally sold marijuana for non-medical use.

Attorney General Eric Holder reiterated that position last month, saying, “We limit our enforcement efforts to those individuals, organizations that are acting out of conformity with state law.” He added that dispensaries may also be targeted if they are too close to a school, and indeed, numerous dispensaries have been shut down for operating within 1,000 feet of a school, even in the absence of any actual problems or complaints.

Yet Harborside is not located within 1,000 feet of a school, nor has the organization ever been accused of violating state or local laws. To the contrary, the group is nationally-recognized as the leading example of a well-run, well-regulated medical marijuana provider.

U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag explained going after Harborside by saying, “I now find the need to consider actions regarding marijuana superstores such as Harborside. The larger the operation, the greater the likelihood that there will be abuse of the state’s medical marijuana laws, and marijuana in the hands of individuals who do not have a demonstrated medical need.”

But the question remains, will President Obama be made to pay at the ballot box for these attacks? If not, what incentive does he, or those that answer to him, have to change course?

Much like the War in Iraq, the war against marijuana users is an unpopular policy, yet when George W. Bush won reelection in 2004, he had every reason to “stay the course.” He got patted on the back and told he was doing a good job when he wasn’t. Are we going to pat Barack Obama on the back this fall and tell his he’s doing a good job?

- Joe Klare