Pubdate: Sun, 08 Sep 2013
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2013 USA Today
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Donna Leinwand Leger, USA Today

FEDERAL DRUG STANCE AIDS MARIJUANA'S MOMENTUM

Marijuana movements already simmering across the country could get a 
big boost from the Obama administration's announcement that it would 
take a laid-back approach to states with softer laws on marijuana.

"This is one of the most significant milestones in the movement 
toward ending marijuana prohibition," says Mason Tvert, spokesman for 
the Marijuana Policy Project, which advocates marijuana legalization 
and regulation.

The group has led several ballot initiatives across the U.S. "The 
federal government for the first time ever has sent a clear signal to 
states that they can adopt their own marijuana policies if they do 
them in a responsible manner."

Two states, Colorado and Washington, have legalized marijuana, and 20 
states have approved marijuana for medical use.

Until Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement last week, 
marijuana users in those states could face federal prosecution even 
if they adhered to state laws and local regulations.

Under the new guidelines, the Justice Department will not challenge 
state laws and prosecutors may not bring cases against individual 
users unless they violate eight federal priorities, including 
marijuana distribution to minors or as a cover for drug-trafficking operations.

Political opponents of marijuana legalization can no longer cite the 
federal government as a reason to squelch reform, Tvert said.

Advocates of marijuana legalization are geared up for 2014 and 2016 
elections with ballot initiatives in a number of states, including 
Alaska, California, Maine, Nevada and Oregon, says Stephen Gutwillig, 
deputy executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, which 
advocates a publichealth approach to drug use.

Tvert said he expects to see legalization measures by 2016 in 
Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana and Nevada.

"The victories in Colorado and Washington were already so significant 
that a number of activists in a number of states were already 
planning similar campaigns," Gutwillig said. "The announcement, if 
anything, will embolden those campaigns and potentially inspire 
activists and elected officials elsewhere who were waiting to see the 
official federal response."

Drug-abuse prevention groups say they will work to derail the 
movement. Arthur Dean, CEO of the Community AntiDrug Coalition, said 
he had expected the Justice Department to "reaffirm federal law and 
slow down this freight train."

"Instead, this decision sends a message to our citizens, youth, 
communities, states, and the international community at large that 
the enforcement of federal law related to marijuana is not a 
priority," Dean said. "We remain gravely concerned that we as a 
nation are turning a blind eye to the serious public health and 
public safety threats associated with widespread marijuana use."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom