Sensible Spokane Alliance

U.S. Attorney: Only flagrant pot shops targeted

by Gene Johnson, Associated Press

Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess, a former police officer and chairman of the Council's Public Safety committee, said the federal action would not deter city officials from continuing to license medical pot shops and explore ways to implement zoning rules for them.

"We're taking cautious steps to bring more clarity and make sure there's proper regulation and control. The federal authorities made it very clear that these individuals who were the target of the federal investigation were operating well outside the medical provisions that were in place," he said.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016783876_apwamedicalmarijuanasearches2ndldwritethru.html

Wash. Governor wants DEA to reclassify marijuana

by Rachel La Corte, Associated Press

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee have filed a petition with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration asking the agency to reclassify marijuana so doctors can prescribe it and pharmacists can fill the prescription.

The governors said Wednesday they want the federal government to list marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug, allowing it to be used for medical treatment. Marijuana is currently classified a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it's not accepted for medical treatment and can't be prescribed, administered or dispensed.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2016900553_apusmedicalmarijuana.html

Fed med marijuana crack down may come to Colorado

by P. Solomon Banda, Associated Press

KCNC-TV reported Tuesday (http://cbsloc.al/tQ3DBq) that the crackdown would target dispensaries and cultivations located near schools, with those businesses receiving letters to end operations within 45 days or face prosecution.

"Colorado has been a model for how a state should regulate medical marijuana," said Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado, a medical marijuana advocacy group. "Our system has worked and Colorado should be allowed to continue to do so."

 http://www.denverpost.com/ci_19548056?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com

Federal interference in state medical marijuana laws is a low priority, Attorney General affirms

by Lisa Graves, Huffington Post

"It's my understanding," Polis said, "[California] did not have a functional state-level regulatory authority. Colorado does have an extensive state regulatory and licensing system for medical marijuana, and I'd like to ask whether our thoughtful state regulation ... provides any additional protection to Colorado from federal intervention."

Holder's response, though vague, offered Polis some assurance, while seeming to suggest that state-level regulation in California is inadequate.

"Where a state has taken a position, has passed a law and people are acting in conformity with the law -- not abusing the law -- that would not be a priority with the limited resources of our Justice Department," Holder said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/medical-marijuana-federal-interference_n_1137745.html