|
|
Home | Submit Press Release | Advertise | Submit Website
(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 21, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA- According to sources, President Obama and Senate Democrats are looking at policies that may relax federal enforcement of laws that aim to curb marijuana for individuals who possess small amounts of the plant.
The willingness to consider the possible laxing of measures again marijuana follow voter-approved laws that passed in both Colorado and Washington. Those bills permit recreational users to possess an ounce at their residence. California and 17 other states allow for medical use of marijuana; however, the federal stance is still opposed to the herb. The herb is still classified under the 'highly dangerous drug' category and is a crime to sell or possess (even in tiny quantities).
"So what we're going to need to have is a conversation about, 'How do you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal offense and state laws that it's legal?'" Obama told ABC News in an interview with Barbara Walters.
President Obama stated that he was not prepared to support widespread legalization “at this point”, but he did add: "It would not make sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users in states that have determined it's legal.... We've got bigger fish to fry."
Senator Patrick J Leahy of Vermont, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, stated that his panel would look into federal law-laxing legislation next year.
"One option would be to amend the Federal Controlled Substances Act to allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, at least in jurisdictions where it is legal under state law," Leahy said in a letter to R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
When Leahy asked Kerlikowske, who is the so-called 'drug czar', "what assurance can and will the administration give to state officials involved in the licensing of marijuana retailers that they will not face federal criminal penalties for carrying out duties assigned to them under state law?"
Leahy stated that the President's comments "reflect common sense. In a time of tight budget constraints, I want law enforcement to focus on violent crime. But now that we have a gap between federal and state laws on marijuana, we need more information and a wider discussion about where our priorities should be."
About Weedies:
Weedies (http://weedies.org) provides information regarding all things marijuana. Learn about the benefits of hemp and medical marijuana use, as well as the history of the illegality of the plant. Find out what one can do to advocate the safe and proper use of marijuana and hemp products at the weedies website, weedies.org.
Weedies
Customer Service
4157669098
news@postpressrelease.com 
Source: EmailWire.com
|
|
