Breaking: Washington’s pot law won’t get federal challenge

[PearliePoo2]

The federal government will not try to block Washington state’s marijuana legalization law, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday morning.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered his long-awaited decision on a potential challenge in a phone call with Inslee earlier Thursday, the governor said in a news release.

“Attorney General Holder made it clear the federal government will continue to enforce the federal Controlled Substance Act by focusing its enforcement on eight specific concerns, including the prevention of distribution to minors and the importance of keeping Washington-grown marijuana within our state’s borders,” Inslee said. “We share those concerns and are confident our state initiative will be implemented as planned.”

Colorado’s legalization law will also stand, Inslee said.

Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson scheduled a news conference for 11:30 a.m. to discuss the news.

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/08/washingtons-pot-law-wont-get-federal-challenge/

[uppityperson]

1. Great, thanks for the news. nt

[SunSeeker]

2. Good to hear. The voter suppression cases will need Holder's time. nt

[HereSince1628]

3. Does that mean just the current DOJ admin won't make federal challenges or

does this mark a decision that won't be revisited and possibly reversed by future administrations?

[Dragonfli]

4. It means I believe it will be revisited whenever they want, by both current and future Admins.

If Holder were serious he would petition the DEA to reschedule Marijuana at the very least, under the Governments own definitions and rules it has never met the criteria for schedule one and is only classified that way for political and financial reasons (lots of money to be made off the failed war on some drugs)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removal_of_cannabis_from_Schedule_I_of_the_Controlled_Substances_Act

Such would at least be an honest attempt by the DOJ to bring the federal criminal status of MJ users to a saner more realistic legal ground.

[HereSince1628]

5. That's sorta what I expected...it's temporary relief at best

At worst it allows citizens to entrap themselves thinking their MJ association is sanctioned.

One day the DEA shows up and OOPS! yer ass is IN the can.