Pubdate: Sun, 09 Dec 2012
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2012 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Robert Burns
Page: A21

Marijuana Legalization

FEDERAL ROLE

In response to "Feds still reviewing new marijuana law, plan no 
action on eve of legalization" [seattletimes.com, Nov. 5], my main 
reaction is: Didn't we all see this coming?

No matter how many states vote to loosen the restrictions on 
marijuana, it really means nothing without the approval of the 
federal government. And since we also know Congress moves slower than 
glaciers (which we won't be able to say for much longer, as the 
glaciers are all melting), it's safe to say that we won't be hearing 
about any decision made anytime soon.

In the meantime, Washington and Colorado deserve respect for being 
the first states to step up and say: There's a bigger problem here, 
and it's not caused by smoking weed; it's having nearly one-eighth of 
America's prisoners in jail on marijuana charges when there are so 
many worse drugs and crimes to be in jail for.

Now, if we could find a way to raise state revenue even more from 
taxing the growing and distribution, I'd say we'd be off to a good start.

- -Robert Burns, Bellingham
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom