Jacob Bell
New Member
At the request of state lawmakers, Attorney General Rob McKenna's office on Monday released his office's informal opinion about the legal implications of proposed medical marijuana legislation now being considered in Olympia.
Citing various factors, McKenna essentially declined to answer the lawmakers' questions, which centered around how the federal government might react to changes in the state's medical cannabis law.
"...your letter asks for our views with respect to how a federal law...would be interpreted, administered and enforced by the federal government. As you likely appreciate, this Office neither controls nor influences such decisions," wrote Jeffrey T. Even, deputy solicitor general.
More than a dozen state lawmakers sent McKenna a letter last week. That's because Gov. Chris Gregoire has vetoed the most critical parts of a medical cannabis bill, Senate Bill 5073, reiterating her concerns that state workers could be prosecuted under federal law the way the measure was written.
The legislation was passed to set clearer regulations on medical marijuana use and to establish a licensing system and patient registry to protect qualifying patients, doctors and providers from criminal liability. Gregoire vetoed provisions of the bill that would have licensed and regulated medical marijuana dispensaries and producers. She also vetoed a provision for a patient registry under the Department of Health, but said she would support legislation creating a registry as long as state workers weren't put at risk.
The lawmakers said in their letter to McKenna that the veto has left the medical marijuana program into crisis. They wanted to know the likelihood that federal prosecutors would target state employees for regulating the industry.Some legal experts say Gregoire's worry that Uncle Sam would come after state workers is unfounded.
Last week Gregoire signed off on an idea to revive a medical marijuana bill she largely vetoed last week. She supports the idea of "non-profit patient cooperatives. Local governments would have the ability to license and zone the pot shops. Legislation outlining the new proposals is expected to be introduced in Olympia this week.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: seattlepi.com
Author: Chris Grygiel
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Hearst Communications Inc.
Website: McKenna: Don't ask me about medical pot
Citing various factors, McKenna essentially declined to answer the lawmakers' questions, which centered around how the federal government might react to changes in the state's medical cannabis law.
"...your letter asks for our views with respect to how a federal law...would be interpreted, administered and enforced by the federal government. As you likely appreciate, this Office neither controls nor influences such decisions," wrote Jeffrey T. Even, deputy solicitor general.
More than a dozen state lawmakers sent McKenna a letter last week. That's because Gov. Chris Gregoire has vetoed the most critical parts of a medical cannabis bill, Senate Bill 5073, reiterating her concerns that state workers could be prosecuted under federal law the way the measure was written.
The legislation was passed to set clearer regulations on medical marijuana use and to establish a licensing system and patient registry to protect qualifying patients, doctors and providers from criminal liability. Gregoire vetoed provisions of the bill that would have licensed and regulated medical marijuana dispensaries and producers. She also vetoed a provision for a patient registry under the Department of Health, but said she would support legislation creating a registry as long as state workers weren't put at risk.
The lawmakers said in their letter to McKenna that the veto has left the medical marijuana program into crisis. They wanted to know the likelihood that federal prosecutors would target state employees for regulating the industry.Some legal experts say Gregoire's worry that Uncle Sam would come after state workers is unfounded.
Last week Gregoire signed off on an idea to revive a medical marijuana bill she largely vetoed last week. She supports the idea of "non-profit patient cooperatives. Local governments would have the ability to license and zone the pot shops. Legislation outlining the new proposals is expected to be introduced in Olympia this week.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: seattlepi.com
Author: Chris Grygiel
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: Hearst Communications Inc.
Website: McKenna: Don't ask me about medical pot
