Pubdate: Thu, 06 Dec 2012
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2012 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Sari Horwitz
Page: A5

JUSTICE: POT IS ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW

On the eve of marijuana becoming legal in Washington state, the 
Justice Department warned that the drug remains illegal under federal law.

On the eve of marijuana becoming legal in Washington state, the 
Justice Department warned that the possession, growing or use of the 
drug remains illegal under federal law.

"Regardless of any changes in state law, including the change that 
will go into effect on Dec. 6 in Washington state, growing, selling 
or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal 
law," said a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office in 
Seattle on Wednesday evening.

Voters in Washington state and Colorado approved ballot initiatives 
last month that decriminalized the possession of up to an ounce of 
marijuana by adults. The Washington state law goes into effect 
Thursday and Colorado's law will change in the coming weeks.

Authorities in both states have already started dismissing hundreds 
of misdemeanor cases and retraining state and local police for 
dealing with the change.

The Justice Department position sets up a potential court fight 
between the federal government and the states.

Though the measures violated federal drug laws, Justice had refused 
to provide any guidance despite requests from both states. But the 
statement made clear that, at least from Justice's perspective, 
federal law should prevail. Under federal law, marijuana is 
considered a Schedule 1 drug, the same category as LSD and heroin.

"The department's responsibility to enforce the Controlled Substances 
Act remains unchanged," the statement said.

Justice Department spokeswoman Nanda Chitre declined to comment 
beyond the statement, which said the department is continuing to 
review the Colorado and Washington state initiatives.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom