MarijuanaEl2012

Wash. delegation: Feds should respect pot law

June 18, 2013 @ 2:52 pm

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Seven members of Washington's congressional delegation have asked the U.S. government to respect the state's marijuana legalization effort and provide guidance about the industry's fate.

In a letter released Tuesday, the members of Congress asked the Department of Justice to not pre-empt the new law or prosecute residents acting in compliance with state law. While Washington voters approved an initiative last year to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, the substance remains illegal under federal law.

"We urge DOJ to expeditiously announce a course of action that will respect the will of these voters, and to work cooperatively with our states during the implementation of these laws," the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was signed by all of the state's Democratic members of Congress, except for U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. None of the state's Republican representatives signed the letter.

Larsen spokesman Bryan Thomas noted that marijuana remained illegal under federal law and that the Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing federal law.

"Congressman Larsen believes the state must work with the Department of Justice to determine a way forward," Thomas said.

Washington officials are in the process of developing rules for a system that would produce, distribute and sell marijuana. Marijuana sales in Washington should begin in early 2014 unless DOJ does something to stop it.

In acknowledgment of the potential for federal officials to challenge the law, Washington state leaders have been working to craft a heavily regulated system. That includes tracking the product from seed to store to prevent any from entering the black market. The state is also working to determine how much legal weed should be produced so that there is not any excess.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (17)


  • Add A Comment

  • Fuego wrote...
    This should
    November 12, 2012 3:42 pm
    be a short meeting.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    Umm, she is not the Gov anymore...
    November 12, 2012 6:01 pm
    ...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    Gregoire went to D.C. on Monday for a meeting ...
    November 12, 2012 7:42 pm
    Why are you spending more of my money when you are not in charge anymore?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Because all of Washington's other problems have been solved
    November 12, 2012 10:23 pm
    Stupid illegitimate b!*tch governor. Liberal politicians always pander. They'll sell their soul and country for re-election. Feds should raid and arrest these "medical" marijuana clinics. Not because "cannabis" is a plant, but because there are consequences when you break the law. Everyone else has to obey the law, so should stoners. BUT, a mind that is made into a retard with pot is easier to control...and expect a vote from.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jeff Schroeder wrote...
    Get some manners...
    November 13, 2012 5:37 am
    ...better yet, get on some meds.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CldWtrSrf wrote...
    Good to see shark75 is still a
    November 13, 2012 6:44 am
    Fascist PIG and advocates Totalitarian Gestapo approach to a States Rights issue. You call yourself a Conservative when you really want MORE Federal intervention in people's lives? Hahahaha what a tool.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Gar57 wrote...
    Don't be angry
    January 22, 2013 3:58 pm
    Why so mad bro? Maybe you need the green cure yourself!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    This should be left to the highly capable Inslee administration.
    November 13, 2012 5:24 am
    Gregoire has made this process a disaster from the beginning. She needs to keep packing at the Mansion and forget about policy. She has been absent from any form of effective Governance for the last year.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CldWtrSrf wrote...
    Chris "Don't call me Christine" The Krypt Keeper
    November 13, 2012 6:42 am
    Didn't talk about how to implement the Will of the People in a State's Rights Issue. I'm sure she assured the corrupt office full of criminals at the Department of "Justice" that she would do everything in her power to delay and block implementing the Will of The People of Washington for more suck up to Obama and to help protect Obama's buddies at Big Pharma who gave him a big ol bribe check..er..."contribution" for his re-election. If you think for one second Obama isn't going to come after Washington and Colorado you are crazy. Obama has directed his "Justice" Department to prosecute a much nastier War on Medical Cannabis than Bush ever did, even though he PROMISED he wouldn't. That's a simple FACT, look it up. Obama certainly isn't going to sit by and allow people to think they are actually FREE in AmeriKa, can't let a single little bit of Power to slip from the Federal Government and Executive Branch. This should get interesting!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    ...a strictly regulated marijuana system...
    January 21, 2013 3:35 pm
    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH....no...stop!.....seriously....AHAHAHAHHAHAHAH...my side....it hurts..... A doped up citizenry is a cornerstone of the Dimocratic Party.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    HPD 5-0 wrote... ...a strictly regulated marijuana system
    January 21, 2013 7:31 pm
    I'm laughing with ya. Anybody that wants to smoke it can grow their own. However I believe it will save money over the way it was. Lower enforcement costs, lower court costs, less gang activity. It also will no longer be a gateway drug getting it away from the dealers who sell coke and meth too.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dexterjibs wrote...
    ok, I am confused
    January 21, 2013 10:44 pm
    I thought there were strict controls on the devils lettuce. This is funny. I bet all the pot heads and dupes that got this stupid arse law passed are scratching their heads. Thats right, you will pay more for your devils lettuce because of taxes, and you will still be harassed by The Man if you step outside the strict controls of the government. Very predictable and very laughable you stupid arse pot heads. No wonder they call pot "dope".
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Non-smoker says:
    January 21, 2013 11:20 pm
    Just think of all the tax revenue lost, and wasted cop overtime,clogged court caseloads and over crowded jails that the lost" war on drugs" consumes. Now I will get the wrath of cops and rigid non-smokers, who think that individuality and freedom of expression are not allowed. As long as you are not abusing your wife,husband,kids or animals in your home, what you do is your business,not mine!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Being a democrat and being stoned
    January 22, 2013 4:28 pm
    Is hard!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }