There are a growing number of blurred lines between the 20 states that have legalized marijuana in some form or another and U.S. federal law, which legally considers marijuana a (cough) dangerous and illegal substance.
Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont is planning to hold Congressional hearings on Sept. 10 to discuss whether our federal dollars are being spent wisely:
In light of recently passed state laws legalizing personal marijuana use, U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Thursday released a letter sent earlier this month to the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) seeking information about how the administration intends to proceed in light of differences between federal and state laws. Leahy also announced Thursday that he intends to hold a hearing looking into the matter when the 113th Congress convenes early next year.
Given the fiscal constraints of federal law enforcement, Leahy asked in his letter to ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske how the administration plans to use federal resources in light of new laws in Colorado and Washington State, as well as what recommendations the agency is making to the Department of Justice. In the interest of respecting states’ laws, Leahy also asked the ONDCP director what assurances the administration can give to state officials responsible for the licensing of marijuana retailers to ensure they will face no criminal penalties for carrying out their duties under those state laws.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee has a significant interest in the effect of these developments on federal drug control policy,” Leahy wrote. The Judiciary Committee intends to conduct a hearing on the issue in the new Congress.
“Legislative options exist to resolve the differences between federal and state law in this area and end the uncertainty that residents of Colorado and Washington now face,” Leahy wrote. “In order to give these options full consideration, the committee needs to understand how the administration intends to respond to the decision of the voters in Colorado and Washington. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.”
You can read the full text of the letter
here.