The Longer the Feds wait to Respond to Marijuana Legalization in Colorado and Washington State, the More Damage is Done

When Proposition 19 was on the ballot in California, Attorney General Eric Holder made several clear and resounding statements that if Prop. 19 were to pass, Holder would “vigorously enforce” the Controlled Substances Act.  The President also made his position crystal clear in the National Drug Control Strategy report of 2010, that he is opposed to the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.

Since the passage of Colorado Amendment 64 and Washington State Initiative 502, we have been hearing the sound of crickets.  Where is the leadership?  Drug legalizers are already talking about the potential “domino affect” passage of the Colorado and Washington measures could have.  If the deafening silence on the part of the federal government continues, it will send a massage that enforcing White House policy on marijuana legalization is not a priority.

One indication that legalization is getting a free pass, is that the president did not address the issue of the Colorado and Washington State measures in today’s press conference.  Passage of these measures however constitutes a crisis. 

It is also possible that the President is silent because he may feel provoked by the drug legalizers as they are bragging on the Internet that “Colorado Amendment 64 got more votes than President Obama.”

The climate to further legalization however, is somewhat favorable for legalizers.  In the eyes of the voters they have crime statistics and incarceration issues on their side.  While irresponsible at best, the argument of “no one should go to jail for pot” has been catching on.  But we should not let those arguments fool us.  If we look at some of the direct consequences of the Colorado and Washington State measures, we can easily see that these states have just made it a whole lot easier for drug cartels to sell pot and other hard drugs.  They have also made it a lot easier for kids to lie about where they got their pot.  We should carefully examine how this will affect crime and victimization in those communities.

The federal government and the Department of Justice have an obligation to respond to the American people.  Even more, the feds and the DOJ owe a clear position and strategy to parents raising children and those of us who have fought long and hard days, months and years to defend White House policy. 

With medical marijuana wreaking havoc in our communities, we have seen enough of the abuses!  Repealing the Colorado and Washington State measures will cost millions.  Taking the measures to court to put them on hold may be the best option yet, as America cannot afford to hear the message that legalization should continue.  Too much is at stake and we are not prepared for the social, economic and physical consequences of legalized marijuana.  We need swift action and we need it now.  Justice delayed is justice denied.