Pubdate: Fri, 14 Nov 2014
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154
Page: A16

LAWMAKERS SEEK HELP TO LEGITIMIZE POT SHOPS

WASHINGTON (AP - Members of Congress from states with legal pot urged 
their colleagues Thursday not to stand in the way of legalization and 
to approve measures that would make it easier for marijuana 
businesses to operate.

Voters in Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia approved ballot 
initiatives to legalize marijuana possession last week. Colorado and 
Washington state already have legal pot.

Amid close midterm elections around the country, "there was one clear 
winner: ending our failed prohibition of marijuana and instead 
legalizing, regulating and taxing adult use," Democratic Rep. Earl 
Blumenauer of Oregon said at a news conference with three House colleagues.

Drug-reform advocates are planning to push legalization initiatives 
in California and other states in 2016. Republican Rep. Dana 
Rohrabacher of California said he expects voters in his state would 
approve an initiative. Polls show a majority of Americans favor legalization.

"My message to my fellow Republicans is wake up and see where the 
American people are, but also see what the fundamental principles are 
in this debate," Rohrabacher said, citing individual liberty, limited 
government and doctors' freedom to make the best decisions for their 
patients. He said his support for California's medical marijuana 
program has helped him politically, even in his conservative Orange 
County district.

Among the initiatives approved last week, the one in the nation's 
capital faces the bumpiest path to implementation. The initiative 
will be sent to Congress for a review period that could last several 
months, and opponents could try to stop it with an amendment to other 
legislation. Republican Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland has vowed to use 
every means at his disposal to try to block legal pot in the District 
to protect children.

Blumenauer and Rohrabacher said they have bipartisan support for two 
small measures that would allow legal pot companies to open bank 
accounts and to deduct business expenses from their taxes. They also 
hope to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to prescribe medical 
marijuana.

In addition to the states that have legalized pot, medical marijuana 
is available in 23 states, and 18 have decriminalized possession of 
small amounts.

Blumenauer said the "knockout punch" for the federal government would 
be to reclassify marijuana so that it's no longer a Schedule 1 
controlled substance.

"It's widely accepted that the current system makes no sense," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom