Pubdate: Mon, 09 Feb 2015
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492

ACTING U.S. DRUG CZAR SAYS D.C. SHOULD DECIDE OWN POT LAWS

(AP) - The acting U.S. drug czar says the federal government 
shouldn't interfere with the District's move to legalize possession 
of marijuana for recreational use.

Michael Botticelli said Friday that while he doesn't agree with 
legalization, he believes the District "should stick to its home rule."

City voters approved legalization in November by a nearly 2-to-1 
margin. But in December Congress passed a spending bill that included 
language intended to block legalization. D.C. leaders argue that they 
can still make pot legal because the language of the bill wasn't clear.

The bill blocks the District from spending money to change its 
marijuana laws. Mr. Botticelli said during a question-and-answer 
session on Friday that the District government should be able to 
spend local tax dollars as it sees fit.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom