Pubdate: Sat, 15 Dec 2012
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2012 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Pete Yost
Page: 5A

OBAMA SAYS HE WON'T FIGHT MARIJUANA USE IN TWO STATES

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says the federal government won't 
go after recreational marijuana use in Washington state and Colorado, 
where voters have legalized it.

In a Barbara Walters interview airing Friday on ABC, Obama was asked 
whether he supports making pot legal.

"I wouldn't go that far," Obama replied. "But what I think is that, 
at this point, Washington and Colorado, you've seen the voters speak 
on this issue."

But the president said he won't pursue the issue in the two states 
where voters legalized the use of marijuana in the November 
elections. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

"... as it is, the federal government has a lot to do when it comes 
to criminal prosecutions," Obama said. "It does not make sense, from 
a prioritization point of view, for us to focus on recreational drug 
users in a state that has already said that under state law, that's legal."

Marijuana officially became legal in Washington state and Colorado this month.

The Justice Department hasn't targeted recreational marijuana users 
for decades. With limited resources, its focus has been to go after 
major drug traffickers instead.

Nonetheless, the Justice Department has said repeatedly in recent 
weeks that it is reviewing the legalization initiatives passed in 
Colorado and Washington state. The states have expressed concern that 
the federal government might sue over the issue. Department officials 
have said they are waiting to see what regulations the two states 
adopt to implement the initiatives.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Friday the president believes 
there are "bigger fish to fry" in prioritizing law enforcement goals. 
Carney noted Obama's comments were similar to his remarks about the 
use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal.

In the department's most recent statement on the issue, the U.S. 
attorney for Colorado said Monday that the department's 
responsibility to enforce the federal Controlled Substances Act 
"remains unchanged."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom