USA: This Week’s Articles On The Tug of War Between The Whitehouse & States

6 March 2017

Press Herald

Signs suggest White House won’t crack down on Maine’s marijuana laws

http://www.pressherald.com/2017/03/03/signs-suggest-white-house-wont-crack-down-on-state-marijuana-laws/

Maine has begun crafting its own rules for recreational pot amid uncertainty over whether the administration will enforce federal laws against it.

With preparations underway for a recreational marijuana market in Maine, the latest signals from Washington suggest the Trump administration isn’t interested in cracking down on states that have legalized recreational use.

Several Republican U.S. senators say Attorney General Jeff Sessions told them privately that he is not considering a major shift in enforcement, despite his opposition to the use of marijuana, Politico reported Thursday.

Washington Legislators Propose New Bills to Expand Marijuana Laws

The bills would allow home pot delivery, allow MMJ patients to possess unlimited seeds, and decriminalize industrial hemp.

https://www.merryjane.com/news/washington-legislators-propose-new-bills-to-expand-marijuana-laws

Legislators in Washington have proposed a number of bills that would change the state’s laws on how marijuana is grown, bought, or sold.

One of the most interesting of these bills, HB 1712, would allow licensed marijuana delivery. The bill would allow anyone over 21 to purchase pot online or by phone, and have it delivered to their door. However, opponents of the bill are concerned that moving marijuana sales away from secure locations could pose a risk.

Respect states’ legal-pot laws, Cantwell and Murray tell Attorney General Sessions

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/respect-states-legal-marijuana-laws-washingtons-us-senators-urge-attorney-general/

Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions Thursday calling for him and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to uphold its existing policy for states that have legalized recreational marijuana.

“It is essential that states that have implemented any type of practical, effective marijuana policy receive immediate assurance from the DOJ that it will respect the ability of states to enforce thoughtful, sensible drug policies in ways that do not threaten the public’s health and safety,” Murray and Cantwell wrote, joining nine other senators from Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and Oregon.

The senators noted that voter-approved laws in states such as Washington and Colorado — the first to legalize small amounts of recreational pot for adults — “have been evaluated by governors and state attorneys general, rigorously debated by state legislatures and the communities they serve, and implemented through thoughtful processes to ensure the proper regulated production and sale of marijuana.”

Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions Thursday calling for him and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to uphold its existing policy for states that have legalized recreational marijuana.

“It is essential that states that have implemented any type of practical, effective marijuana policy receive immediate assurance from the DOJ that it will respect the ability of states to enforce thoughtful, sensible drug policies in ways that do not threaten the public’s health and safety,” Murray and Cantwell wrote, joining nine other senators from Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and Oregon.

The senators noted that voter-approved laws in states such as Washington and Colorado — the first to legalize small amounts of recreational pot for adults — “have been evaluated by governors and state attorneys general, rigorously debated by state legislatures and the communities they serve, and implemented through thoughtful processes to ensure the proper regulated production and sale of marijuana.”

Trump Recreational Weed Policy Seen as Logistical Nightmare (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-03/trump-policy-on-recreational-weed-seen-as-a-logistical-nightmare

 

Alaska Dispatch News

Murkowski and Warren urge attorney general to back off marijuana

https://www.adn.com/politics/2017/03/02/murkowski-and-warren-urge-attorney-general-to-back-off-marijuana/

WASHINGTON — Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren are leading an effort to urge Attorney General Jeff Sessions not to crack down on marijuana use that is legal under state laws.

Sessions, who was outspoken about his opposition to legal marijuana while in the U.S. Senate, said earlier this week that he’s reviewing the more hands-off policies of President Barack Obama’s administration.

And White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he expects the Trump administration to pursue “greater enforcement” of federal marijuana laws.

 

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