AP: 98457f0e-802e-424f-a64a-a250d4427f29
A man known as "Professor Gizmo," smokes marijuana in a glass pipe on Wednesday just before midnight at the Space Needle in Seattle. (AP Photo)

Washington's marijuana law prompts high level federal meetings

BY Tim Haeck  on December 7, 2012 @ 9:35 am (Updated: 10:16 am - 12/7/12 )

High level meetings are happening at the White House and the Justice Department over what to do about Washington's new marijuana law.

Washington state is in legal limbo considering marijuana is still against federal law. CBS News Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen thinks the feds are in a strong position.

"There's no doubt in my mind that if the feds went to court and said 'this is a federal law, federal law pre-empts state law, there's no constitutional right to smoke marijuana,' the feds would likely win in court," Cohen said.

Colorado had adopted a strong system of regulation and taxation for medicinal marijuana and Cohen speculates that the federal government might be reluctant to crack down on pot crimes if Washington state adopts a similar system.

Political considerations are also a factor in the deliberations in Washington, D.C. "Voters in these two states voted largely for Democratic candidates, the Obama administration had said it was going to take a different approach to the drug war and there are a lot of conservatives who, quite frankly, have signed on to the idea of legalization and taxation," explained Cohen.

No immediate action from Washington, D.C. is anticipated by Cohen as the federal government takes a watch and wait attitude for the next few weeks or months.

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Dave Ross: It's all fun and games until the feds crack down

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (49)


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  • HLC wrote...
    Democrats and dopers.
    December 7, 2012 9:17 am
    Now it's clear why Obozo won. Vote for the "D".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • My Evil Friend wrote...
    Democrats and Dopers....YEAH!!!
    December 7, 2012 9:49 am
    HLC, Obama won because he had more votes of the American people and the Electoral College. You must be smoking mass amounts of dope to make a stupid post like that. Go hit your bong again and come up with something a little better...Dude...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    doppy democRATS
    December 7, 2012 10:50 am
    voter fraud and buying votes thru appeasement.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • chellesbelles wrote...
    @irony
    December 7, 2012 1:53 pm
    what the heck is 'doppy'?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    Did ya'll catch that
    December 7, 2012 9:11 pm
    story about those two freedom fighters that got blown away trying to liberate some weed crop from an illegal grower in Pierce county...guess they couldn't wait for Obama to hand it out!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    those who don't learn from the past...
    December 7, 2012 9:42 am
    are doomed to repeat it.

    prohibition failed. it lead to more crime and the rise of gangsters. THIS prohibition has failed as well.

    it's time to face the music and realize that the world is changing. adults can decide for themselves if they want to use pot or not. this is how a LARGE part of the world works. why are we so puritanical?

    conservatives you've got your choice, which issue do you really want to rail on and on about? pot? or same sex marriage? my guess is your bigotry will choose the latter over weed.

    do yourselves a favor and just let it all go. times are changing and you can either deal with it, or move to a place that never changes.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    those who don't learn from the past...
    December 7, 2012 9:03 pm
    voted Obama 2012
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Oly80, My guess is that people living off the guv smoke pot in higher numbers than people who work 40 hrs a week.
    December 7, 2012 9:53 am
    That's why conservatives are against legalizing "cannabis". Any moron who has skin in the game knows its a bad idea to add fuel to the fire. People receiving government "entitlements" don't have any skin in the game....they just vote democrat down the line and rest assured they'll get their check on the 1st of the month. Food goes to EBT, cash goes to booze, smokes and drugs.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Shark, your guess is wrong
    December 7, 2012 10:05 am
    There are a large number of people out there who put in their 40-60 hours a week, who also prefer to wind down at home with a joint instead of hitting the bars and getting s-faced. Weed as a habit is far less expensive than booze, and it puts people in a generally more relaxed mood. Don't make baseless assumptions, please.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    Baseless ASSumptions?
    December 7, 2012 1:08 pm
    Your assumption is people go home and smoke dope? Apparently, all those people lighting up at the Seattle Center didn't get the memo. They obviously aren't the doctors and lawyers who smoke dope that are smart enough to know what the law is and aren't stupid enough to ignore it anyway. They certainly wouldn't violate the RIGHTS of other citizens not to smell their stench they willfully create. The Feds are watching for good reason. If the State isn't going to protect EVERYONES rights, the Feds will step in. So all the morons who choose to send up smoke signals in public are just sending a message to Big Brother to come in and do what the State won't. So party on idiots.
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  • Rayvensdad wrote...
    ohhhhh, shark75... we lamb...
    December 7, 2012 11:09 am
    how sweet. You're almost too innocent to bash. Almost... If you think that pot smoking is left up to those living off the government, and not those "hard working good citizens" working 40 hrs a week... well then it simply shows that you've jumped the gun and must be smoking some seriously good ganja!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    shark...
    December 7, 2012 11:26 am
    you just keep that closed mindedness a chuggin' along...

    btw, you're totally wrong.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Sharky
    December 7, 2012 12:46 pm
    It seems as if your stuck in time with many of your fellow GOPers.You really need to find a new reason to hate the down and out
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • chellesbelles wrote...
    @shark
    December 7, 2012 1:56 pm
    Do you really believe that these people who are 'living off the guv' and smoking pot all the time actually get out and vote? Really?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Dude, your analogy is wrong
    December 7, 2012 10:21 am
    "Winding down at home with a joint" would be more equivalent to "winding down with a glass of wine", not "going out to the bars and getting s-faced". Please convince me that there are more people that wind down with a joint than do wind down with a glass of wine. Also, I've never met a stoner that doesn't smoke to get stoned, but having a glass or two of wine isnt done to get drunk. Besides, a joint never stopped a stoner from getting in his car and driving home, after all they always drive "better" when they are stoned right? "Hey man, I'm more aware of my surroundings and stuff. Know what I'm sayin?" *butthead giggle"
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  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Shark, you missed my point entireley
    December 7, 2012 11:06 am
    Perhaps my "going out to the bars" analogy was off, but that wasn't the point I was trying to make. You assumed that just because someone smokes pot that means that they, at best, work a part time job at a mini-mart and make no real contributions to the work force. I was pointing out that your assumption is incorrect. I did also say that people wind down AT HOME with a joint. That would imply staying home and not getting into a car, as many responsible smokers choose to do. I'm sorry you've never met any functional smokers - the ones who can get a little high without being geeked off their butt - but there are lots of them out there.
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  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    BTW
    December 7, 2012 11:09 am
    Does anyone under the age of 60 have "just a glass or 2 of wine" when they get home from work? Every person I have met who unwinds at home with booze goes through at least a 6-pack of beer or half a big bottle of wine. Those people may not be drunk, but they are just as impaired as your average day-to-day smoker.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    Doobie dude.
    December 7, 2012 11:00 am
    40 to 60 hours doing what? I hope your not saying its a paying job, unless you include standing in a line for a handout is a job. I guess a doper would think that when they are able to think.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    How incredibly narrow-minded of you, HLC
    December 7, 2012 12:30 pm
    I didn't list anything specific because pot smokers come from all walks of life. They're not just hippies anymore. Construction, sales, customer service, teachers, even business management, just to name a few. I bet many more will come out of the woodwork once it officially becomes legal, as well. So to say that smokers are all just looking for a handout is to form a baseless and short-sighted opinion simply because you don't know any better. Are you sure you're not Glen Beck?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ten4goodbuddy wrote...
    HLC
    December 7, 2012 12:58 pm
    Spewing his poorly thought out opinion again!! This is the same self employed guy who admittedly goes to work for his clients hung over from a night of boozing. Take your narrow view of the world back to your trailer guy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rayvensdad wrote...
    It's funny...
    December 7, 2012 11:06 am
    Most don't understand why the feds would raise such a stink about Marijuana being legal. Trust me folks, it isn't because the government wants us all to not "be doing bad things like smoking pot". It is all about who benefits... but most importantly, who doesn't. Do you have any idea the amount of money projected to be lost in the pharmaceutical industry if marijuana was legal??? Pain meds and anti-depresants make up a massive chunk of the pie when dealing in drugs and money. NO WAY will the government lose their buddy buddy network with one of the main industries in this country. Do you all really think "the people" run this country?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mitsuturbo wrote...
    Why?
    December 7, 2012 11:17 am
    I don't get it. I believe it's been legal for many years in the state of Alaska to grow and smoke your own weed within the confines of your own home. Why are "the feds" making such a big deal out of WA allowing its citizens to possess and consume marijuana? I don't get why it's such a big deal NOW that other states are decriminalizing drugs. As a matter of fact, I don't understand why drugs aren't decriminalized to a greater extent. It seems to be working for Portugal. Oh.. wait, i get it.. it's not PROFITABLE if the "war on drugs" simply evaporates. Because what would the DEA do then? Their field agents would be out of a job. The entire DEA has a budget (declared) of close to 2.5 billion, and only 10,000 employees... the war on drugs must be profitable!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    mitsuturbo
    December 7, 2012 11:53 pm
    Many years ago it was legal in Alaska to grow up to 3 plants in your home and smoke said plants in your home, then they ended it because of huge pressure and threats from the Feds. I haven't been up there in over 10 years so I'm not sure if they ever went back to the old way or not. What i do know is that for a long time the Feds couldn't get Alaska to play along because Alaska wasn't like the rest of the states; it didn't need Federal money because of the oil and pipeline. Withholding Federal money is how DC usurped state powers and bullied the state leaders both past and present.

    You are exactly right, the Feds don't want to give the states back even a sliver of their rights granted by the founding fathers AND the DEA doesn't want to become irrelevant and a waste of tax money.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    I don't see how the state will see any tax money from this.
    December 7, 2012 11:49 am
    A business paying all the correct fees and taxes to grow and sell dope legally will never be able to be cheaper then those doing it now illegaly. If a doper is willing to buy it illegally now they won't pay more for the legal stuff. Their already willing to be criminals so why pay more? It's a joke.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    HLC
    December 8, 2012 12:03 am
    Take away the illegal status and what is marijuana really? It is an agricultural crop, nothing more and nothing less. Take away the illegality and prices become competitive, driving prices down toward a more reasonable range
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Same price by the time they finish taxing it
    December 7, 2012 11:55 am
    So for all those that use the stuff will pay the same. Instead of the cartels it will be the government reaping the $$$$
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rastaj wrote...
    The cartels and the government.....
    December 7, 2012 12:04 pm
    Since the CIA smuggles large amounts of cocaine and opiates into the country...what's the difference?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    rastaj
    December 7, 2012 12:49 pm
    Are those the guys flying those Black Helos?Please tell us more of that inside info you seem privy to.Do you listen to alot of radio between 12-5am?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    @messiah101...
    December 7, 2012 3:23 pm
    Black helos don't have the range for running drugs, .gov uses jets for that. There's plenty of stuff out there about the government being involved in the drug trade, if you look. Most people don't care.

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/12/420107/-CIA-Torture-Jet-wrecks-with-4-Tons-of-COCAINE

    http://www.naturalnews.com/034289_Afghanistan_opium_trade.html

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/high-ranking-mexican-drug-cartel-member-makes-explosive-allegation-fast-and-furious-is-not-what-you-think-it-is/

    You don't think anybody runs a multi billion dollar business without the government being involved do you?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    roomtemp
    December 7, 2012 3:48 pm
    Inferring the government is doing drug running and not some corrupt individuals that happen to be on the government payroll are two different issues.You don't seem to understand that.If a US Soldier murders an Afghan Family it doesn't mean the USA has a policy or OKs the killing of civilians
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Fuego wrote...
    The cartels
    December 7, 2012 12:06 pm
    will always under-price the guv and taxes. The same is true with cigarettes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Fuego
    December 7, 2012 3:51 pm
    Cigarettes are easy to check on simply audit the books of distributors and sellers. I'm closely involved with someone who is in the business of catching the illegal sales of cigs.But yes it still happens,but they usually do get caught
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    THC - just relax its been around longer that you and will be here long after your gone . . . .
    December 7, 2012 12:38 pm
    if anyone needed happy smoke this is the dude. Not to worry I smoke enough for the both of us. Hope Walmart will sell it I need a price roll back. Republicans don't need dope because they http://youtu.be/IGj4_CFgH4c
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