Pubdate: Sun, 17 Mar 2013
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2013 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Page: A16

DELEGATION DRAGS FEET ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

WASHINGTON voters acted boldly last November to begin reforming our 
nation's failed policy on marijuana. It was an act of leadership, in 
stark contrast to the inertia that has perpetuated the failed war on 
drugs for the past 42 years.

Since then, state regulators have worked diligently to create the 
world's first fully regulated recreational marijuana market, and Gov. 
Jay Inslee took the state's case to Washington, D.C.

But the state's most important allies in this risky political fight - 
its 12-member congressional delegation - have remained mostly silent.

In a round of calls to the delegation's offices last week, marijuana 
policy reform seemed a distant distraction. Three of the members did 
not even respond to repeated emails and calls.

They appear to have missed the memo sent by 56 percent of voters in 
November: Washington voters want legalized marijuana.

Last week, Attorney General Eric Holder said that after four months 
of review the Department of Justice would respond "soon" to 
marijuana-legalization laws in Washington and Colorado.

Our two states need champions in Congress, and now. We need pressure 
applied to the DOJ and the White House. Silence will be interpreted 
as acquiescence to the status quo of marijuana prohibition.

Only Rep. Adam Smith, D-Bellevue, signed onto a letter after the 
election urging DOJ to back off. Even Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, 
whose Seattle constituency approved I-502 by 74 percent, appears 
strangely disconnected .

Seven different bills are pending in Congress that would alleviate 
some federal-state conflicts on recreational or medical marijuana. 
The most direct fix is HR 499, co-sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis, 
D-Colo., and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. It would end federal 
preemption on marijuana policy, allowing states to go their own way.

None of our delegation has signed on to it, or related bills. 
Instead, Colorado, California and Oregon lawmakers are leading the 
way. "I think some of them need a little nudge," Blumenauer said of 
Washington's delegation.

Nudge, nudge. Most of Washington's delegation opposed Initiative 502, 
the legalization measure. Only McDermott, Smith and freshman Rep. 
Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, voiced support before the election. Others 
in the delegation now say they'll help ensure I-502' s implementation.

If they're serious, they should take action. Democratic Sen. Maria 
Cantwell, for example, has the power from her seat on the Senate 
Finance Committee to push for changes in banking laws and policies 
that would help the marijuana industry access banking.

Circulate a letter. Press the Obama administration. Sign on to, and 
advocate for, legislation intended to do what Washington voters 
endorsed: a new approach to marijuana.

The politics of marijuana have changed. State leaders - from Inslee 
to Attorney General Bob Ferguson to local and state elected officials 
from both parties - understand that.

When will our congressional delegation?
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom