Eric Holder Says DOJ Will Let Washington, Colorado Marijuana Laws Go Into Effect

[hazlnut]

Eric Holder Says DOJ Will Let Washington, Colorado Marijuana Laws Go Into Effect

I think this is good. As long as states police themselves and make sure no money or product is connected to the cartels or any criminal endeavor.

The problem will be preventing people from crossing state lines -- that is why on things like marijuana and guns we need some sort of uniformity. What one state does or doesn't do can negatively effect a situation in another state (e.g. lax gun laws) -- that is why we have a federal government and federal law enforcement.

WASHINGTON -- The United States government took a historic step back from its long-running drug war on Thursday, when Attorney General Eric Holder informed the governors of Washington and Colorado that the Department of Justice would allow the states to create a regime that would regulate and implement the ballot initiatives that legalized the use of marijuana for adults.

A Justice Department official said that Holder told the governors in a joint phone call early Thursday afternoon that the department would take a "trust but verify approach" to the state laws. DOJ is reserving its right to file a preemption lawsuit at a later date, since the states' regulation of marijuana is illegal under the Controlled Substances Act.

I suspect we'll see dispensaries popping up as close to state lines as legally permitted.

Hopefully all states will legalize pot and that would put a serious dent in one of the cartel's main profit centers.

Still doesn't solve the coke and meth problems. AND FYI - pot is not a "gateway" drug -- cigarettes are more likely to lead people to meth or coke and alcohol to downers and opiates -- it's the legal drugs that are leading people to the harder ones.

 

[The2ndAmendment]

Eric Holder has no authority to decide whether or not Colorado or Vermont may or may not do so.

The 10th Amendment makes all States, and their Citizens, sovereign over hemp cultivation and usage.

 

[Two Thumbs]

I fully support freedom, warts and all.

What I don't support is lying hypocrites.

Holder MUST demand the enforcement of Fed laws or take the states to court.

 

[francoHFW]

A good state right- no discrimination involved like Pub ones...

 

[Two Thumbs]

A good state right- no discrimination involved like Pub ones...

What do you mean?

It's pure bigotry on holders part.

 

[francoHFW]

Pub states rights = screwing blacks and minorities and women...LOL. Really.

 

[francoHFW]

Bigotry on Holder's part? WTH?

 

[hazlnut]

Eric Holder has no authority to decide whether or not Colorado or Vermont may or may not do so.

Man, are you dumb.

he has all the authority when it comes to FEDERAL LAW.

dipshit.

 

[Two Thumbs]

Pub states rights = screwing blacks and minorities and women...LOL. Really.

liar

not that you have the iq to know you're lying

 

[Two Thumbs]

Bigotry on Holder's part? WTH?

those are (D) states

(D) get to break the law on a regular basis

like the illegal sanctuary cities in CA

of course that magically different

 

[Two Thumbs]

Eric Holder has no authority to decide whether or not Colorado or Vermont may or may not do so.

Man, are you dumb.

he has all the authority when it comes to FEDERAL LAW.

dipshit.

and yet he shirks his responsibility

 

[The T]

Eric Holder has no authority to decide whether or not Colorado or Vermont may or may not do so.

The 10th Amendment makes all States, and their Citizens, sovereign over hemp cultivation and usage.

These Statist creeps are being in the open now as to their total disregard of the Constitution...and the rule of LAW. Usurpation is their order of the day, every day.

It's a hindrance to them.

 

[waltky]

Military in Colorado don't want stoned troops...

Troops in Colorado reminded that pot still off-limits
January 2, 2014 WASHINGTON — Colorado just became the nation’s pot-friendliest state, but don’t expect military bases there to mellow anytime soon.

Defense Department officials are reminding troops stationed there or visiting on leave that military rules still prohibit marijuana use, regardless of the local laws. Random drug tests remain in effect, and troops caught with drugs in their possession or their system face possible loss of security clearance and dismissal from the service. In addition, civilians caught bringing pot onto Colorado military bases face potential legal action, including ejection from base housing and banishment from military jobs.

On Wednesday, the first retail stores to legally sell marijuana for recreational use opened in Colorado. The first buyer was Sean Azzariti, an Iraq War veteran and marijuana activist who has said the drugs help mitigate his post-traumatic stress disorder. State officials estimate that legalized marijuana will bring in roughly $40 million in new tax revenue in 2014, while drug decriminalization activists have hailed the new law as the first step in a nationwide push for legalization. Marijuana use or sales is still illegal under federal law. But Department of Justice officials have said they will leave enforcement of Colorado’s drug laws up to local officials for now.

Military leaders aren’t adopting the same laid-back approach. Earlier this year, Air Force officials warned that servicemembers “now need to be particularly vigilant to avoid entangling themselves in situations where Colorado civilians may be recreationally using marijuana in their presence.” Problematic situations include sharing off-base housing with recreational pot users and visiting stores where the drug is sold, officials warned. “The mission of the U.S. Air Force is of paramount importance, and airmen who use marijuana are neither prepared nor suited to carry out that mission,” the release said.

The new Colorado laws also allow citizens to cultivate a small amount of marijuana in their homes. Defense officials won’t allow that on base either. The Colorado laws aren’t the only problematic situation for military officials. Washington state is expected to become the second state to allow sale of marijuana for recreational use later this spring. Defense officials have already warned troops there that those state law changes will not alter military rules regarding drug use.

Troops in Colorado reminded that pot still off-limits - News - Stripes