Pubdate: Sat, 15 Dec 2012
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2012 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: David G. Savage, Tribune Washington Bureau
Page: A8

OBAMA, KEY SENATOR EXPRESS SOME FLEXIBILITY ON MARIJUANA

President Says It's Time to Have 'A Conversation'

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and a key Senate Democrat said 
Friday they are willing to consider relaxing federal enforcement of 
the laws against marijuana for those who possess small amounts of the 
still-illegal drug.

They were reacting to new laws in Washington and Colorado that permit 
recreational users to have an ounce of marijuana at home. In 
addition, California and 17 other states now permit the medical use 
of marijuana.

Despite this state-by-state move toward limited legalization, federal 
law still classifies marijuana as a dangerous drug and makes it a 
crime to sell or possess even tiny amounts.

"So what we're going to need to have is a conversation about, how do 
you reconcile a federal law that still says marijuana is a federal 
offense and state laws that it's legal," Obama told ABC News in an 
interview with Barbara Walters released Friday.

The president said he is not ready "at this point" to support 
widespread legalization of marijuana, but added: "It would not make 
sense for us to see a top priority as going after recreational users 
in states that have determined it's legal. ... We've got bigger fish to fry."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said 
his panel would consider legislation early next year that could ease 
federal penalties for marijuana possession.

"One option would be to amend the Federal Controlled Substances Act 
to allow possession of up to one ounce of marijuana, at least in 
jurisdictions where it is legal under state law," Leahy said in a 
letter to R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug 
Control Policy.

Leahy asked Kerlikowske "what assurance can and will the 
administration give to state officials involved in the licensing of 
marijuana retailers that they will not face federal criminal 
penalties for carrying out duties assigned to them under state law."

Leahy said Obama's comments "reflect common sense. In a time of tight 
budget constraints, I want law enforcement to focus on violent crime. 
But now that we have a gap between federal and state laws on 
marijuana, we need more information and a wider discussion about 
where our priorities should be."

Critics of the federal drug laws saw the comments from Obama and 
Leahy as a sign that Washington's rigid opposition to marijuana may be ending.

"It's a tentative step in the right direction," Ethan Nadelmann, 
executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, said of Obama's 
statement. "He said we need a ' conversation,' and that's very 
promising. This sounds a lot of like what he said about gay marriage 
a couple of years ago."

Nadelmann said he would watch to see whether federal law enforcement 
officials at the Justice Department insist on an aggressive 
anti-marijuana policy, despite the milder words from the president 
and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Recent polls have shown the American public is about evenly split on 
whether personal use of small amounts of marijuana should be legalized.

In the past, the Obama administration has sent conflicting messages 
on medical marijuana. Soon after taking office, the president and the 
attorney general pledged to pull back from the Bush administration's 
policy of using federal agents to shut down dispensaries in 
California and other states where medical marijuana is legal.

But U.S. prosecutors there have continued to take aggressive action 
against those who sell large quantities of marijuana.

Tom Angell, chairman of the Marijuana Majority, said Obama could do 
more. The executive branch could take action to change the 
classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug.

"The president should lead on this issue instead of deferring to 
Congress," Angell said.

Tribune Newspapers' Kim Murphy in Seattle contributed.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom