Republican congressman introduces legislation that would take marijuana out of the hands of the feds
Source: Salon
THURSDAY, FEB 9, 2017 01:04 PM EST
Republican congressman introduces legislation that would take marijuana out of the hands of the federal government
The Respect State Marijuana Laws Act would allow states to determine their own marijuana policies.
TAYLOR LINK
Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California is proposing a law that would only allow states to determine marijuana policies, resolving the current conflict between state and federal marijuana laws. Four states Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington have laws that allow the production and sale of marijuana for adult use. Four additional states California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada are in the process of establishing similar regulations. Under federal law, marijuana is a schedule 1 drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse . . . has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States (and) there is a lack of accepted safety for use of drug or other substance under medical supervision (21 U.S.C 812(b)(1)). Thus, a conflict.
This is commonsense legislation that is long overdue, Robert Capecchi, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, said in a press release. It is time to end marijuana prohibition at the federal level and give states the authority to determine their own policies.
States throughout the country are effectively regulating and controlling marijuana medical or broader adult use, Capecch said. Federal tax dollars should not be wasted on arresting and prosecuting people who are following their state and local laws.
In July, medical marijuana failed to make the GOP platform after a vigorous debate to embrace the growing acceptance of marijuana. The conflict between state and federal marijuana laws was not an issue under the previous administration, but with the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as attorney general, there are concerns he may crack down on states marijuana policies.
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Read more: http://www.salon.com/2017/02/09/republican-congressman-introduces-legislation-that-would-take-marijuana-out-of-the-hands-of-the-federal-government/
Matthew28
(1,796 posts)Hopefully the republicans surprise me and pass this bill
greymattermom
(5,751 posts)states' rights?
christx30
(6,241 posts)States should decide what's best in regards to marijuana. Medical use only, recreational use with possession of small quantities, ect. The DEA just keeps it illegal to get more money for law enforcement.
NewDealProgressive
(98 posts)As much of a fucking asshole Sessions is, I think they know the money involved is too big to stop what's happening as far as legalization.
adigal
(7,581 posts)But we need to use what we can.
hibbing
(10,076 posts)MosheFeingold
(3,051 posts)I'm mildly encouraged by it.
I'd love a four-way split of parties between green/democrat/libertarian/republican.
A lot of stuff could get done.
haele
(12,581 posts)"You know I have my constituent's best interests at heart... I tried to take Marijuana policing policies from the Feds so they wouldn't bust your favorite pot shops...vote for Me!"
I'm surprised he even thought about this as a tactic to stay relevant in his district. His younger staffers must have told him what to do.
What is that they say about stopped clocks?
Haele
TeamPooka
(24,156 posts)hibbing
(10,076 posts)denbot
(9,894 posts)I grew up in the OC. We are truly through the looking glass..
calimary
(80,700 posts)I never thought I'd find ANYTHING he did worth saluting.
Well, how 'bout that. It's really true: A broken clock IS right twice a day.
moonscape
(4,664 posts)of smoke to get through these next 4 years?
padfun
(1,780 posts)was that Dems controlled all of congress and the POTUS but still failed to address the schedule 1 issue. I think a lot of states felt that too and started their own legalization laws.
I do hope this passes but it is something the Dems should have done a long time ago.
0rganism
(23,856 posts)if Rep. Rohrabacher wants to resolve this easily, why not just introduce legislation to remove marijuana from schedule 1? no, this is all about undermining the legitimacy of the federal government in upholding and enforcing FDA regulations. be very careful what you wish for.
Lostnote
(75 posts)jpak
(41,742 posts)not fooled
(5,791 posts)so he knows a thing or two about partying
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/rep-rohrabacher-left-california-home-a-grimy-mess-photos
http://wonkette.com/537020/congresslout-dana-rohrabacher-missed-getting-on-hoarders-by-this-much[link:http://wonkette.com/537020/congresslout-dana-rohrabacher-missed-getting-on-hoarders-by-this-much|
EarthFirst
(2,877 posts)In a Senate hearing last year on marijuana reform, Sessions said that "good people don't smoke marijuana." He also pointed to the tenuous theory that marijuana is a gateway drug, and said that, "you'll see cocaine and heroin increase more than it would have."
"We need grown ups in Washington to say marijuana is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized, it ought not to be minimized, that it is in fact a very real danger,"
http://www.businessinsider.com/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-legal-weed-2017-2
Xolodno
(6,341 posts)....will go the way of the dinosaur.
You've got Republican farmers in the state that want to take advantage of this cash crop. In urban areas, taxing this is proving to be an acceptable way for Republicans to raise revenues without getting attacked by the base.
And...he probably knows in a number of states, it will still take awhile before legalization, which means, wind fall for those that do legalize it.
Long story short, he see's the writing on the wall and is saving his ass.
briv1016
(1,570 posts)Too much money at stake. Not to mention the DEA budget.