Pubdate: Sat, 17 Nov 2012
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Kurtis Lee

DEGETTE PUSHES POT BILL

Her legislation aims to exempt states where voters have legalized 
marijuana from federal provisions.

In an effort to ensure new voter-approved amendments that legalize 
limited use of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington are 
not overrun by the federal government, Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana 
DeGette introduced bipartisan legislation Friday that aims to curtail 
such a scenario.

"My constituents have spoken, and I don't want the federal government 
denying money to Colorado or taking other punitive steps that would 
undermine the will of our citizens," DeGette, of Denver, said in a statement.

The legislation, coined "Respect States' and Citizens' Rights Act," 
comes on the heels of Colorado voters approving Amendment 64, which 
legalizes possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for anyone over 
the age of 21.

The bill seeks to exempt stateswhere voters have legalized pot from 
the federal Controlled Substances Act provision on marijuana.

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman of Aurora, a staunch opponent of 
Amendment 64, supports the bill.

"I strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana, but I also have an 
obligation to respect the will of the voters given the passage of 
this initiative, and so I feel obligated to support this 
legislation," Coffman said.

DeGette said in a statement that after the Nov. 6 election, lawmakers 
expressed concern about the federal government's ability to override 
these voter-approved initiatives and the states' rights to exercise 
the will of their citizens.

The legislation comes on the same day a handful of members from the 
state's congressional delegation were part of a coalition of 
lawmakers who sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, 
urging him to respect the new voter-approved marijuana laws in 
Colorado and Washington.

In the letter - penned by U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder- DeGette 
and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden, said they believed it would be 
a mistake for the federal government to "focus enforcement action on 
individuals whose actions are in compliance with state law."

Lawmakers write in the letter to Holder that they are concerned that 
the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration 
will continue to "threaten individuals and businesses" acting within 
the scope of their states' laws on medicinal use of marijuana.

The letter charges that the DEA has contradicted assurances from 
Holder's office in 2009 that it would not prioritize criminal charges 
against individuals who act in compliance with state law, and that 
they hope a similar outcome will not occur with the new laws that saw 
"overwhelming public support."

In Colorado, Amendment 64 passed with 55 percent of voter support.

Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, held a conference call with 
Holder last week to gauge how the federal government will respond to 
Coloradans' legalization of marijuana.

On Thursday, Denver prosecutors said they will no longer charge those 
21 and older for carrying less than an ounce of marijuana, and will 
review current cases that fit under the language of Amendment 64. 
Earlier in the week, Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett 
made headlines when he announced his office will dismiss any pending 
cases that deal with less than an ounce of marijuana.

Several counties across Colorado are weighing their options in how to 
move forward in the wake of Amendment 64's passage.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom