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Purveyor

(29,876 posts) Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:16 PM Apr 2013

Drug Czar: No State Can Nullify Federal Marijuana Ban [View all]

President Barack Obama’s drug czar toed a strict line on marijuana Wednesday, saying federal laws will prevail regardless of state-level efforts to legalize pot.

Gil Kerlikowske said enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 — which ranks marijuana as a Schedule One drug alongside heroin, LSD and ecstasy — remains in the hands of the US Department of Justice.

“No state, no executive can nullify a statute that has been passed by Congress,” the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy told a National Press Club luncheon.

“Let’s be clear: law enforcement officers take an oath of office to uphold federal law and they are going to continue to pursue drug traffickers and drug dealers,” he said.

Voters in Colorado and Washington last November approved proposals to legalize the possession of small quantities of marijuana by individuals in their respective states

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/17/drug-czar-no-state-can-nullify-federal-marijuana-ban/

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Drug Czar: No State Can Nullify Federal Marijuana Ban [View all] Purveyor Apr 2013 OP

It's a perfectly sane policy! Blue Owl Apr 2013 #1

Fire him! call the WH! grahamhgreen Apr 2013 #2

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the WH is already well aware of his statement. Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2013 #22

How will that do any good?... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #24

For what? Understanding the Constitution? Federal law trumps state law ... end of discussion. 11 Bravo Apr 2013 #31

Yes. Let's harsh all over this dude. If the white house can jail whistleblowers and have a kill list grahamhgreen Apr 2013 #37

allow state stores in WA? Sure! Put your money down... green for victory Apr 2013 #3

So, which state will be the next to legalize? Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #4

There have been legalization bills introduced in 10 states this year. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #5

Mass & New Mex seem good choices. My pipe dream: Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #9

I'm going with Alaska, California, and Oregon. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #17

Florida does use initiative, sometimes to good effect... Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #35

...and the feds can't make any state criminalize marijuana. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #6

Good points. Folks forget "legalization" means applying the law. Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #11

“Let’s be clear: law enforcement officers take an oath of office to uphold federal law..." MindPilot Apr 2013 #7

If they prosecuted Wall Street crooks the same way they do inner-city youths... Hugabear Apr 2013 #8

Nah let's turn their $100 million mansions into prisons. Problem solved. Initech Apr 2013 #10

Better yet, turn those mansions into homeless shelters Hugabear Apr 2013 #12

I like this idea. Initech Apr 2013 #15

Financial criminals should be treated like sex offenders. MindPilot Apr 2013 #18

Legally, that's correct. It's in the Constitution. cthulu2016 Apr 2013 #13

The Executive can reschedule and shift focus. This is a choice to a significant degree. TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #19

Okay, then send in the DEA. Because the cops in legal states aren't going to bust you. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #20

I think the quote is being misread cthulu2016 Apr 2013 #23

End the war on drugs. Now!!! Initech Apr 2013 #14

oh, FFS zappaman Apr 2013 #16

Then how come states can outlaw abortion, which is legal? TeamPooka Apr 2013 #21

Two reasons. 1) I think that there is no federal law in play -- if cthulu2016 Apr 2013 #28

They regulate the clinics out of existence. Buns_of_Fire Apr 2013 #30

Non-Prohibition states to Drug Czar: fuck off. Lizzie Poppet Apr 2013 #25

Perhaps the quote is being misread? 'Cause there's no controversy here cthulu2016 Apr 2013 #26

Legally he's correct. What he's not saying is how DoJ prosecutors geek tragedy Apr 2013 #27

Stop the war on people...nt Paul E Ester Apr 2013 #29

States rights says FUCK YOU! Rex Apr 2013 #32

Feds: Stop Wasting Money on Marijuana Prohibition RainDog Apr 2013 #33

This is a good thing... bobclark86 Apr 2013 #34

the feds can be overloaded by trying to enforce exclusively... Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #36