Federal Government Could End Marijuana Prohibition

On Friday February 20^th, 2015 two separate bills were introduced in Congress to end federal prohibition on marijuana. Currently the federal government can supersede the local laws leaving the states vulnerable when approving marijuana for sale. The passive nature of the federal government has allowed states to legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. This hands-off approach may change with a new president.

Democratic representative from Colorado Jared Polis introduced the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act. Rep. Polis calls for marijuana to be removed from the Controlled Substances Act. This would allow the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to regulate marijuana similar to alcohol.

On the same day house Democrat from Oregon Earl Blumenauer introduced the Marijuana Tax Revenue Act. This act would introduce a tax on marijuana sales similar to the Marihuana Tax of 1937. This tax was repealed in 1970. The new bill may impose more prosecution for possession.

Representative Polis bill is a positive direction for marijuana for many reasons. Removing the Drug Enforcement Agency from regulating allows the states laws to be fully legal and protected. Legalizing marijuana allows patients and the people that work in the industry to not fear prosecution. Removing marijuana from the label of a controlled substance will allow more research to be conducted. This will allow for safer medicine, a better understanding on how marijuana works in the body and new avenues for health care.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/20/marijuana-legalization-congress_n_6722686.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marihuana_Tax_Act_of_1937

House of Representatives Vote and Pass a Stop to the Federal Persecutions for Medical Marijuana

Though each state is deciding how they want to govern the use of medical marijuana, a dark cloud of the Federal Government has stood in the way of making the laws fully legal and bound. On May 1, 2014 a vote was passed by the House of Representatives to not allow Federal persecutions where states have passed laws to allow medical marijuana. This vote now stands in the upcoming months to pass the Senate vote to be put into law.


California Representative Dana Rohrabacher on the house floor stated, “Some people are suffering, and if a doctor feels that he needs to prescribe something to alleviate that suffering, it is immoral for this government to get in the way.”


Overwhelmingly the Democratic party has favored the stop to federal regulation with the Republican Party hard to coerce. Federal government currently is active in regulating marijuana, a criminal trial with 3 Washington medical marijuana growers , moves to shut down some of the nation’s largest dispensaries in Berkeley and Oakland, and others that are sitting in jail for earlier prosecutions. One of the lead government people against the legalization is DEA Administrator Leonhart.


Twenty-Two states now allow the use of medical marijuana with many more about to approve. Two states have passed laws allowing the recreational use, Colorado and Washington. Another 10 states for the use of cannabidiol CBD that has been shown to be effective in treating children’s seizures and other conditions, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. Two amendments also passed to take away funds for the Federal government to intervene for research and cultivation in hemp.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source: http://jonathanturley.org/2014/05/31/house-of-representatives-votes-to-stop-federal-prosecutions-against-medical-marijuana/


http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/05/30/3443165/house-passes-amendment-to-strip-funding-for-medical-pot-crackdowns/