Pubdate: Tue, 28 Nov 2017
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2017 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.salemnews.com/contactus/local_story_015132129.html
Website: http://www.salemnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466
Author: Steven S. Epstein

CONGRESSMAN SHOULD LEAD ON MARIJUANA

Last March, I wrote Congressman Seth Moulton asking him to become a
co-sponsor of H.R. 975, the "Respect State Marijuana Laws Act." He
responded that, "The federal government ought to respect the will of
the voters in states like Massachusetts, Colorado and Washington that
have approved marijuana legalization."

Yet, instead of signing on as a co-sponsor, he chooses to leave
federal enforcement up to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Mr. Sessions
understands the proper roles of Congress and his office. He stated at
his confirmation hearing, "I think one obvious concern is that the
United States Congress made the possession of marijuana in every state
and the distribution of it an illegal act. If that's something that's
not desired any longer, Congress should pass a law to change the rule.
It is not the attorney general's job to decide what laws to enforce.
We should do our job and enforce laws effectively as we are able."

By "able," he is referring to budgetary constraints of attempting to
enforce federal prohibition of a plant that grows in every state.

Mr. Moulton, leaders lead. Get off the fence and sponsor the
legislation.

Steven S. Epstein

West Street Georgetown
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MAP posted-by: Matt