DEA 'Cartel' Claims Lack Facts, Again

Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Denver have a sordid history when it comes to providing actual data to back up their claims, and their most recent allegation that medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado are being supplied by illegal cartels is no different.

In a truly stunning news story, lacking any kind of factual evidence, the Denver Post reports the following:

"Dispensaries are popping up like mushrooms," said DEA special agent-in-charge Jeffrey Sweetin. "Now we have thousands of 20- to 25-year-olds carrying cards. And the cartels are getting rich off this law."

Unfortunately, for the two journalists who penned the article, there is no actual evidence provided by federal officials to support such a serious claim, other than the word of DEA-chief Sweetin, who has a documented history of making false allegations.

One actually wonders if the reporters actually even bothered to ask for data, outside of the federal agent's experiences?

Over a year ago, Sweetin also claimed that a proposal passed by voters in Denver to legalize small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 years and older was causing an increase in organized crime. But when asked for evidence of such incidents, the DEA had nothing:

"I don't think there's any numbers I can give," said DEA media representative Mike Turner about the crime connection to legalization efforts. "It's just that the ongoing cases we're seeing I think reflect the fact that that's what's going on."

Despite a variety of views regarding medical marijuana in Colorado and the willingness of irresponsible reporters to publish claims unquestionably, there's no denying that an individual's personal views are based in the realm of opinion, not fact.

"Some" may believe that sun is made of macaroni, but that doesn't make it true, or worth writing about.