Feds oppose Calif. Prop 19 to legalize marijuana

SAN FRANCISCO — Attorney General Eric Holder says the federal government will enforce its marijuana laws in California even if voters next month make the state the first in the nation to legalize the drug.

The Justice Department strongly opposes California's Proposition 19 and remains firmly committed to enforcing the federal Controlled Substances Act in all states, Holder wrote in a letter to former chiefs of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter, dated Wednesday.

“We will vigorously enforce the CSA against those individuals and organizations that possess, manufacture or distribute marijuana for recreational use, even if such activities are permitted under state law,” Holder wrote.

The attorney general also said that legalizing recreational marijuana in California would be a “significant impediment” to the government's joint efforts with state and local law enforcement to target drug traffickers, who often distribute marijuana alongside cocaine and other drugs.

He said the ballot measure's passage would “significantly undermine” efforts to keep California communities safe.

If Proposition 19 passes in November, California would become the first state to legalize and regulate recreational pot use. Adults could possess up to one ounce of the drug and grow small gardens on private property. Local governments would decide whether to allow and tax sales of the drug.

The state has clashed with federal authorities over marijuana since 1996, when voters approved a first-of-its-kind ballot measure that allowed people to grow and use pot for medical purposes. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana.

-- The Associated Press

Comments

[sarayoga]

Hey there, thanks for reading my last post and leaving a comment! I’ve recently started a yoga blog of my own and have been posting on my travel notes. I had emailed to friends and relatives about your blog, catch you on the next one.
http://www.ynyogaposes.com

[Elle]

This story has been the top story here for over a week now. Has nothing else happened in Imperial Valley? Let's pick it up, IVP.

[RetiredBadge]

I don't understand why everyone thinks Big Tobacco is evil, but yet are quite willing to give them something else, which is at LEAST as bad as tobacco, to make money on. Prop 19 will just create even more societal problems, not alleviate them. I've heard people say they would rather have someone drive under the influence of marijuana than alcohol, yet people under the influence of anything are dangerous. I can personally name several people who were killed by drivers under the influence of marijuana, not alcohol.

[socrates]

google, I note that the names of Eugene Hasenfuss, Gary Webb and ``Dark Alliance`` still ring a few bells.
Bravo.

[MONICA]

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA!!! BANNED ALCOHOL!!! STATE WOULD GET RICHER TAXING MARIJUANA