cannabisnews.com: U.S. Says It Won’t Sue To Undo State Marijuana Law
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U.S. Says It Won’t Sue To Undo State Marijuana Law
Posted by CN Staff on August 29, 2013 at 11:35:34 PT
By Ashley Southall
Source: New York Times
Washington, D.C. -- The Obama administration on Thursday said it would not sue to undo laws legalizing marijuana in 20 states, although it will monitor operations in those states to make sure they do not run afoul of several enforcement priorities. Washington and Colorado recently began allowing small amounts of marijuana to be used recreationally, while 18 other states and the District of Columbia permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
In a phone call on Thursday afternoon, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. explained the government’s “trust but verify” approach to Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and Gov. John W. Hickenlooper of Colorado, a Justice Department official said. In a memo sent to federal prosecutors nationwide on Thursday, James M. Cole, the deputy attorney general, laid out eight priority enforcement areas. They are aimed at preventing marijuana sales to children, illegal cartel activity, interstate trafficking of marijuana, and violence and accidents involving the drug. Federal prosecutors are expected to help state officials set up and carry out regulations, the Justice Department official said. After Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana, some members of Congress sought to have the administration clarify whether state officials risked federal criminal prosecution while carrying out their duties under the state laws. The attorney general is expected to testify on Sept. 10 at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on clarifying the administration’s stance on the state laws. Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont and the chairman of the committee, said the administration should respect the state laws. “It is important, especially at a time of budget constraints, to determine whether it is the best use of federal resources to prosecute the personal or medicinal use of marijuana in states that have made such consumption legal,” Mr. Leahy said. “I believe that these state laws should be respected. At a minimum, there should be guidance about enforcement from the federal government.” Last week, the White House said President Obama did not support changing federal laws regulating marijuana, which treat the drug as a highly dangerous substance with no medical purpose. Source: New York Times (NY)Author: Ashley SouthallPublished: August 29, 2013Copyright: 2013 The New York Times CompanyContact: letters nytimes.comWebsite: http://www.nytimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/CjDxokSnCannabisNews  -- Cannabis  Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 
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Comment #4 posted by Canis420 on August 29, 2013 at 13:33:13 PT:
This statement
 Sam Adams. No federal laws have changed but it is certainly a step in the right direction. I just hope federal prosecutors get the message this time. As more and more states legalize the fed will then have no choice but to change federal law me thinks.
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on August 29, 2013 at 11:57:34 PT
exceptions
Here are the exceptions. Also, remember this is another "priority" statement - no federal laws have been changed. no proposal has been made to adjust federal law. In the fact NIDA just issued another "fatwa" against medMJ.>>The guidance lists eight federal priorities that prosecutors should consider when deciding whether to undertake a prosecution. They are:* Preventing marijuana distribution to minors* Preventing money from sales from going to criminal groups* Preventing the diversion of marijuana from states where it is legal to states where it is illegal* Preventing criminal groups from using state laws as cover for trafficking of other illegal drugs* Preventing violence and the use of illegal firearms* Preventing drugged driving* Preventing the growing of marijuana on public lands* Preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property
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Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on August 29, 2013 at 11:54:11 PT
not celebrating yet
Of course this statement by itself is totally meaningless. We won't know if this statement was worthy of celebration until 1-2 years from now.As I recall, the feds said they'd leave the Indians alone about 50 times on the way to wiping them out. Not to mention this administration's blatant lying about medMJ raids.The official statement contains no fewer than eight (8) clauses under which they can resume raiding or doing whatever they please. 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 29, 2013 at 11:39:38 PT
Times They Are a Changin
Let's get it done everywhere!
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