National Council of State Legislatures Passes Resolution “In Support of States Determining Their Own

[Uncle Joe]

Marijuana and Hemp Policies”

http://blog.norml.org/2015/08/07/national-council-of-state-legislatures-passes-resolution-in-support-of-states-determining-their-own-marijuana-and-3-hemp-policies/

The National Council of State Legislatures passed a resolution yesterday urging the federal government to amend the Controlled Substances Act and to refrain from interfering with state laws permitting the legal production and use of cannabis.

The National Council of State Legislatures is a bipartisan, non-governmental organization founded in 1975 to unite members of legislature’s from around the United States. The council works to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures, promote innovative policy and communication among state legislatures, and to magnify their voice in the federal system.

The NCSL resolves “[S]tates and localities should be able to set whatever marijuana and hemp policies work best to improve the public safety, health, and economic development of their communities.” Members passed the resolution overwhelmingly by a voice vote.

The vote represents a strong consensus among state lawmakers that the federal government should embrace, not impede the progress states have made to amend their marijuana laws, and encourages federal lawmakers to consider rescheduling marijuana in order for states to safely and effectively move forward in their reforms.

(snip)

- See more at: http://blog.norml.org/2015/08/07/national-council-of-state-legislatures-passes-resolution-in-support-of-states-determining-their-own-marijuana-and-3-hemp-policies/#sthash.kjvcbNVa.dpuf

[djean111]

1. A problem I have with this - does this set things up so that ALEC can start in on the states?

I agree that it seems unfair for a state to declare marijuana legal and then have AG Lynch send the feds in to bust them.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I'm not sure how this makes it easier for ALEC?

Having said that, I have no doubt ALEC is already working on the states in regards to all manner of issues that benefit the less than 1% at the expense of the people.

[djean111]

4. ALEC operates at state level, outside of federal laws and regulations.

My thinking is that having pot legalized may not sit well with some, either for monetary reasons or what they consider their own preferences,to be forced on others, reasons, and that if the federal government legalizes pot, they can still legislate against it at the state level. There is already a very efficient takeover by ALEC of many states, to the point that, for instance, a Florida GOP state representative turned in some ALEC legislation without remembering to delete the ALEC letterhead from it. I think it is cheaper to buy state governments these days.

On the other hand, AG Loretta Lynch is quite clear that she does not think pot should be legalized, and is okay with civil forfeiture, so some states may get relief from federal raids on dispensaries and civil forfeiture perpetrated by local, federally funded "drug warriors". I was just thinking who benefits, and how.

[Zorra]

3. Good news, another little step forward. Thanks! nt