By Celia Carr, Staff Writer for 420 Intel
U.S. Senator Cory Gardner remains firm in his vow to jam all appointments to the Department of Justice until Attorney General Jeff Sessions softens his stance on marijuana according to an article released by the Denver Post.
Sen. Gardner’s siege to protect both Colorado’s cannabis industry and the state’s sovereignty has stopped at least 11 nominees from getting a Senate floor vote, and there is nothing in sight to suggest that Gardner and Sessions can find common ground.
All of this stems from a decision made last month by Sessions to repeal a policy originally established by Obama which left alone states that have legalized marijuana, like Colorado, despite the fact that it’s still illegal at the federal level.
The move by Sessions has created confusion about whether it’s okay to grow, buy or use marijuana in states where pot is legal, seeing as the drug remains illegal at the federal level. This decision came only days after pot shops opened in California, launching the anticipated largest market for legal, recreational marijuana in the world, polls showing that a majority of Americans believe that pot should be legal.
Business at dispensaries in legalized states has continued since the decision, but it’s certainly caused worry throughout the industry.
Aides to the Colorado lawmaker said the two sides will continue to negotiate, despite Sessions’ unwillingness to reconsider his stance following a meeting between him and Gardner last month.
“Our staff and DOJ staff continue to talk and meet to discuss a path forward which recognizes Colorado’s state’s rights and ensures law enforcement has the authority and tools needed to protect our communities,” said Casey Contres, a Gardner spokesman, in a statement. “These discussions continue to be necessary and we appreciate their willingness to have them,” as stated in the Denver Post.
It’s highly unlikely that marijuana will be completely legalized anytime soon at the Federal level so lawmakers are considering drafting language that would stop the Justice Department from spending any money on enforcing marijuana laws in any state that has OK’d the drug. Lawmakers have done this previously for medical marijuana and this time will do so for recreational pot.
“Typically, this kind of provision would be attached to some kind of must-pass legislation, such as an annual funding bill.Federal lawmakers, however, have been unable to agree on a 2018 spending plan, and they’ve kept the government open — aside from a brief shutdown in January — through a series of stopgap bills.
Another short-term bill is expected this week, and congressional aides said it’s not being targeted as the vehicle for the marijuana provision.
That means it could be another month or more before there’s a chance to resolve the issue — and another month in which Gardner is expected to keep up the pot blockade,” according to the Denver Post.
Gardner’s Senate Republican colleagues do not seem overly stressed over his approach to the issue for now.
“I can understand why he did it,” said Senator Chuck Grassley, who nonetheless disagreed with Gardner’s argument for states’ rights. “I’m an advocate for federal law under the Supremacy Clause of the constitution that federal law overrides state law,” according to the Denver Post.
The standstill the opposing members are at in face of the marijuana debate show what a pivotal moment the country is at in what is one of the world’s largest and most profitable industries.
credit:420intel.com