\t\t\t\tGot this in my email today thought I'd post it..... \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDear \t\t\t\tLast November, 55% of Colorado and Washington state voters chose to take a more sensible approach to marijuana. But a cloud of uncertainty hung over these two state laws, because of the federal government's silence. \t\t\t\tUntil today. \t\t\t\tThe U.S. Department of Justice announced today that the federal government has more important things to do than to interfere with states' laws legalizing and regulating marijuana. \t\t\t\tAs such, the feds will not be challenging Colorado's and Washington's marijuana laws – or other well-regulated marijuana laws – as long as they include strict regulations that are actually enforced. \t\t\t\tIn its letter to federal prosecutors in all 50 states, the DOJ advised federal officials to focus on eight specific areas, including preventing sales to minors, preventing marijuana use on federal property, and preventing diversion to other states. \t\t\t\tIn addition, federal prosecutors are advised – but not required – to leave marijuana enforcement to state officials for those businesses that comply with state regulations, unless they violate one of the DOJ's eight priorities. \t\t\t\tThis announcement is a major and historic step toward ending marijuana prohibition, but our work is not nearly done. Marijuana is still illegal for most adults in 48 states. And even though the federal government's policies have relaxed, responsible marijuana businesses are still breaking federal law until we change it. \t\t\t\tWill you please make a donation today to fund MPP's lobbying work in Congress to end marijuana prohibition on the federal level? \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t
\tand this\t \tJustice Department Says It Won't Challenge State Laws Permitting Marijuana Legalization And SalesWashington, DC: Federal justice officials will not challenge the implementation of laws in Colorado and Washington that allow for the production, consumption, and sale of marijuana to those over 21 years of age. Voters in both states approved initiatives in November allowing for the licensed production and retail sales of the plant, both of which are anticipated to begin early next year. A Justice Department memorandum, authored by US Deputy Attorney General James Cole on Thursday, to US attorneys in all 50 states directs prosecutors not to interfere with state legalization efforts and those licensed to engage in the plant's production and sale, provided that such persons do not engage in marijuana sales to minors or divert the product to states that have not legalized its use, among other guidelines. "This is a historic step forward," stated NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri. "Assuming the Department of Justice stays true to their word, these states and others will no doubt move forward with the state-licensed regulation of cannabis for adults. The public has evolved beyond the simplistic, failed policies of cannabis prohibition and are seeking pragmatic, regulatory alternatives. It is encouraging to see that the federal government no longer intends to stand in their way." United States Attorneys will individually be responsible for interpreting the new federal guidelines and how they apply to any cases that they intend to prosecute. However, according to sources cited by the Huffington Post, "prosecutors would no longer be allowed to use the sheer volume of sales or the for-profit status of an operation as triggers for prosecution, though these factors could still affect their prosecutorial decisions." The memo affirms that cannabis still remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. To date, 20 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation to allow for the physician-authorized consumption of cannabis. Seven of those states, as well as Washington, DC, also allow for the state-licensed cultivation and sale of marijuana to qualified patients. Two states - Colorado and Washington - allow for the licensed commercial production and retail sale of cannabis for non-medical purposes. Earlier this week, United States Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, scheduled a Congressional hearing to discuss the present conflicts between state and federal marijuana laws. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, at 10am Eastern Standard Time. Both US Attorney General Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole are scheduled to testify at the hearing. For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, or Erik Altieri, NORML Communications Director, at (202) 483-5500.