Commentary

MPP Statement on U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on ‘Conflicts Between State and Federal Marijuana Laws’


WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–September 10, 2013.  The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing Tuesday regarding “Conflicts Between State and Federal Marijuana Laws.” The Justice Department announced on August 29 that it will not seek to stop Colorado and Washington from moving forward with implementation of voter-approved laws establishing state-regulated systems of marijuana cultivation and retail sales.

Statement from Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP):

“We applaud Sen. Leahy and the committee for initiating a much-needed dialogue about our nation’s failed marijuana prohibition laws. We hope this discussion will inspire Congress to take action and make the Department of Justice policy the law of the land. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) has introduced legislation that would leave marijuana policy up to the states, and we call on members of the committee to consider similar legislation.

“Marijuana is an objectively less harmful substance than alcohol, and most Americans do not believe adults should be punished for using it. Voters and state legislators are poised to approve laws similar to those adopted in Colorado and Washington. The administration is doing its best to work around federal law, but a better approach would be to simply fix federal law and permanently resolve this conflict.”

Source: http://www.mpp.org/

Related Articles:

Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Oversight Hearing On Federal Marijuana Policy, Sept. 10, 2013

Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole Testifies Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on Conflicts between State and Federal Marijuana Laws, Sept. 10, 2013

 


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