Pubdate: Tue, 19 Feb 2013
Source: Idaho Mountain Express (ID)
Copyright: 2013 Express Publishing, Inc
Contact:  http://www.mtexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2296
Author: Katherine Wutz

SENATOR TRIES TO BLOCK POT IN STATE

A Republican senator has brought forward two motions to oppose
legalizing marijuana in the Idaho legislature, a move that could put
the kibosh on local efforts pushing for Idaho to follow Washington and
Colorado.

Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, brought forward two pieces of legislation
that will be heard before the Senate State Affairs Committee at 8 a.m.
on Feb. 20. Public testimony will be taken, though testimony may be
limited to three minutes per person depending on the number of people
who sign up to testify.

The first is a joint memorial, SJM 101, which "seeks to respectfully
notify" the U.S. Department of Justice, the United States Congress and
Idaho's congressional delegation that the state's legislature opposes
legalizing marijuana. It also asks the President of the United States
and Congress to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws in all 50 states.

The second is a concurrent resolution. While it does not have the
force of law, the resolution simply states that the Idaho Legislature,
as a body, opposes the legalization for marijuana "for any purpose" in
the state.

Staff in Winder's Boise office stated the senator was not available
for comment before press time on Tuesday. However, Winder told the
Associated Press on Feb. 8 that he is concerned about neighboring
states Washington and Colorado, which have approved initiatives to
legalize pot last fall.

"It's kind of like the immigration issue," Winder told the Associated
Press. "If [the federal government is] not enforcing the immigration
issue, then it's left to the states to do it. All we're saying is,
[marijuana] is causing problems to the cities and jurisdictions, so
please enforce federal law as it comes to transportation of illegal
drugs."

Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, a member of the State Affairs
committee, said she could see both sides of the argument-marijuana is
still illegal under federal law, and she understands the desire to
ensure that young people don't begin using the drug.

"I understand the effort to be conscientious about being drug-free for
our children, but this is a small portion of the greater problem," she
said. "These bills will make a statement, but they won't change the
problems we have."

For more on this story, see the Wednesday, Feb. 20, print edition of
the Idaho Mountain Express.
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MAP posted-by: Matt