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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 05:56 PM Feb 2017

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/

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Republican congressman introduces legislation that would take marijuana out of the hands of the feds (Original Post) DonViejo Feb 2017 OP
Give it to the states Matthew28 Feb 2017 #1
so will they vote for or against greymattermom Feb 2017 #2
Sounds completely reasonable. christx30 Feb 2017 #3
Well, I approve of this. NewDealProgressive Feb 2017 #4
This is good we need to get most things out of the feds' hands. I can't believe I'm saying that adigal Feb 2017 #5
A Republican for gosh sakes n/t hibbing Feb 2017 #6
There are libertarians in the Republican base MosheFeingold Feb 2017 #7
Ha, Rohrabacher is worried about his seat... haele Feb 2017 #8
That I have to support a bill by Dana Rohrabacher is to the Democratic Party's shame on this issue. TeamPooka Feb 2017 #9
+1 times a million hibbing Feb 2017 #10
+1 times a billion. denbot Feb 2017 #16
Dana fucking Rohrabacher? calimary Feb 2017 #11
Privately realizing he's gonna need a pile moonscape Feb 2017 #22
One of the biggest dissappointed I had in 2009-2010 padfun Feb 2017 #12
i'd watch out for this one *especially* if it passes 0rganism Feb 2017 #13
Thank You!... Excellent point... n/m Lostnote Feb 2017 #21
Bless his heart jpak Feb 2017 #14
Well, he did live in a flophouse not fooled Feb 2017 #15
Two words: Jeff Sessions EarthFirst Feb 2017 #17
The days of hard conservative Republicans in California... Xolodno Feb 2017 #18
The private prison industry will never let this happen while Repubicans are in control. briv1016 Feb 2017 #19
KNR Lucinda Feb 2017 #20

christx30

(6,241 posts)
3. Sounds completely reasonable.
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:01 PM
Feb 2017

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.

4. Well, I approve of this.
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:02 PM
Feb 2017

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)
5. This is good we need to get most things out of the feds' hands. I can't believe I'm saying that
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:04 PM
Feb 2017

But we need to use what we can.

MosheFeingold

(3,051 posts)
7. There are libertarians in the Republican base
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:18 PM
Feb 2017

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

(12,660 posts)
8. Ha, Rohrabacher is worried about his seat...
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:18 PM
Feb 2017

"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

calimary

(81,322 posts)
11. Dana fucking Rohrabacher?
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:23 PM
Feb 2017

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.


padfun

(1,786 posts)
12. One of the biggest dissappointed I had in 2009-2010
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:29 PM
Feb 2017

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

(23,957 posts)
13. i'd watch out for this one *especially* if it passes
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 06:30 PM
Feb 2017

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.

EarthFirst

(2,900 posts)
17. Two words: Jeff Sessions
Thu Feb 9, 2017, 08:20 PM
Feb 2017

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

(6,395 posts)
18. The days of hard conservative Republicans in California...
Fri Feb 10, 2017, 01:50 AM
Feb 2017

....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)
19. The private prison industry will never let this happen while Repubicans are in control.
Fri Feb 10, 2017, 02:54 AM
Feb 2017

Too much money at stake. Not to mention the DEA budget.

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