Seven members of the Washington State Congressional Delegation sent a letter urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to respect the will of Washington State voters as it pertains to marijuana. In the letter, led by Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Denny Heck (D-WA-10), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), and Jim McDermott (D-WA-07) asked that DOJ provide clarity and certainty for their constituents and work with state regulators to protect the rights of those obeying state law.
“As DOJ considers its response to Washington and Colorado laws, we hope that you will exercise your significant discretionary authority by choosing not to pursue preemption of these laws, or prosecute our residents and state employees acting in compliance with these laws,” the Members wrote. “We also urge DOJ to announce its decided course of action as soon as possible to provide legal certainty for our citizens, businesses, and lawmakers.”
Seven months after Washington State voters approved Initiative 502, which legalized marijuana in small quantities and established a regulated licensing system for its sale, DOJ has still not announced a course of action, leaving Washington State residents, businesses, and investors in a state of uncertainty. This letter urges DOJ to respect state law and to provide clarity for Washington State.
Full text of the letter here.
“As DOJ considers its response to Washington and Colorado laws, we hope that you will exercise your significant discretionary authority by choosing not to pursue preemption of these laws, or prosecute our residents and state employees acting in compliance with these laws,” the Members wrote. “We also urge DOJ to announce its decided course of action as soon as possible to provide legal certainty for our citizens, businesses, and lawmakers.”
Seven months after Washington State voters approved Initiative 502, which legalized marijuana in small quantities and established a regulated licensing system for its sale, DOJ has still not announced a course of action, leaving Washington State residents, businesses, and investors in a state of uncertainty. This letter urges DOJ to respect state law and to provide clarity for Washington State.
Full text of the letter here.
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