U.S. House vote blocking feds from meddling in state medical pot laws surprises even advocates

[SOURCE: OregonLive]

An amendment barring the U.S. Department of Justice from interfering with state medical marijuana laws got a surprising boost from GOP lawmakers.

Though many Republican lawmakers remain opposed to marijuana reform, others view the federal war on drugs as overreach "and a violation of the rights of more than two dozen states that have legalized cannabis or specific components of it for medical use," the Los Angeles Times reports. The U.S. House narrowly passed the amendment Friday; it now heads to the Democratic Senate.

Writes LA Times reporter Evan Halper:

Most GOP stalwarts, of course, continue to rail against liberalization of the laws. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, a physician, declared during floor debate that medical marijuana is a sham. Real medicine, he said, "is not two joints a day, not a brownie here, a biscuit there. That is not modern medicine."

READ MORE HERE: U.S. House vote blocking feds from meddling in state medical pot laws

 

Retired Supreme Court Justice Stevens: Feds Should Legalize Marijuana

[Source: NORML]

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.

When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:

“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”

Listen to the Radio Interview HERE: Feds Should Legalize Marijuana

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpu

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

In an interview with NPR released today, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens came out in support for marijuana legalization.
When asked if he believed the federal government should legalize marijuana, the 94 year old former Justice replied:
“Yes, I really think that that’s another instance of public opinion [that's] changed. And recognize that the distinction between marijuana and alcoholic beverages is really not much of a distinction. Alcohol, the prohibition against selling and dispensing alcoholic beverages has I think been generally, there’s a general consensus that it was not worth the cost. And I think really in time that will be the general consensus with respect to this particular drug.”
- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2014/04/24/retired-supreme-court-justice-stevens-feds-should-legalize-marijuana/#sthash.Vp9ycbdA.dpuf

U.S. Issues Marijuana Guidelines for Banks

[Source: NY Times]

The Obama administration on Friday issued guidelines intended to give banks confidence that they will not be punished if they provide services to legitimate marijuana businesses in states that have legalized the medical or recreational use of the drug, even though it remains illicit under federal law.

The guidance, which requires banks to vigorously monitor their marijuana-industry customers, was provided by the Treasury Department and the Justice Department in separate advisories. The policy does not grant immunity from prosecution or civil penalties to banks that serve legal marijuana businesses. But it directs prosecutors and regulators to give priority to cases only where financial institutions have failed to adhere to the guidance. 

Still, the banking industry was quick to say that the new guidelines would not be sufficient to make banks feel at ease about opening accounts for or granting loans to marijuana businesses because the drug would still be illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. 

Continue reading the main story

Past Related Articles:

 - Legal Marijuana Businesses Should Have Access to Banks, Holder Says

 - Banks Say No to Marijuana Money, Legal or Not

At governors meeting, a cautious approach to legalized pot

[Source: Denver Post]


All the buzz at the National Governors Association meeting over legalizing pot, some say, is just smoke.

Nearly two months after Colorado began selling recreational marijuana, the nation's governors are taking a cautious approach to loosening their drug laws.

Republican and Democratic governors meeting in Washington this weekend expressed broad concern for children and public safety should recreational marijuana use spread. At the same time, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper warned other governors against rushing to follow his lead.

Read more: Legalizing Pot Approach

Congress to Hold Hearings on State and Federal Marijuana Conflict

[Source:Erik Altieri, NORMLCommunications Director]

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has scheduled a hearing to address the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws.

“It is important, especially at a time of budget constraints, to determine whether it is the best use of federal resources to prosecute the personal or medicinal use of marijuana in states that have made such consumption legal,” Senator Leahy stated, “I believe that these state laws should be respected. At a minimum, there should be guidance about enforcement from the federal government.”

The hearing is scheduled for September 10th and both Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole have been invited to testify.

The hearing comes after 20 states have approved of the medical use of marijuana and two states have legalized it for recreational use. The Department of Justice had promised clarification for these states regarding how, or if, the federal government intends to respond, but has thus far failed to provide any clear policy or guidance. It is the hope of Senator Leahy these hearings will address the concerns of these states and provide them a way to move forward with their state approved marijuana laws

See more at: Meeting on State and Federal Marijuana