Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jul 2014
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2014 Earl Blumenauer
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Earl Blumenauer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n617/a03.html
Note: Editorial Series
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/27/opinion/sunday/high-time-marijuana-legalization.html
Note: Third of five letters

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA? RESPONSES VARY

To the Editor:

While I wholeheartedly agree with the editorial board that we need to
end the federal prohibition on marijuana, Congress is not as paralyzed
on this issue as many may think.

A growing, bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House has approved
five measures in a row that represent incremental steps to rationalize
our failed marijuana policy. There are more than a dozen bills
pending, most with bipartisan sponsorship, that would create a
framework for legalization.

The House has voted to increase access to banking services for
marijuana businesses in states where they are legal, and prevent the
Drug Enforcement Administration from using funds to interfere with
state medical marijuana laws. This majority in the House seems to
realize what many Americans already knew: Prohibition has failed.

As my home state of Oregon prepares to vote on legalization of adult
recreational marijuana this fall, we must redouble our efforts in
Congress to finish this important work of reform.

EARL BLUMENAUER
Washington, July 28, 2014

The writer, a Democrat, represents the Third Congressional District of
Oregon.
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