Quote of the Day: Sullivan on marijuana enforcement

By
Suzanne Downing
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8
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“Although I did not support the 2014 ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, it strongly passed and I passionately believe in democracy and the principles of states’ rights. For these reasons, I have worked with federal officials and Alaskans to try to address a number of areas where our state and federal marijuana laws are in conflict.” – Senator Dan Sullivan.

“Today’s action by the Department of Justice — which contradicts previous statements by the President that this is an issue best left to the states, and adds new confusion and uncertainty for numerous states and communities — could be the impetus necessary for Congress to find a permanent legislative solution for states that have chosen to regulate the production, sale and use of marijuana. As we move forward, I will be examining new and existing legislative proposals and working to ensure the rights of Alaskans and the State of Alaska are protected,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan’s statement followed a Justice Department memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy.

The Justice Department memoradum is here.

 

8 COMMENTS

  1. Very disappointed in Senator Sullivan’s comments. The marijuana initiative passed because George Soros, through the Marijuana Policy Project spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to engineer passage. Marijuana was and is a controlled substance under federal law. A little research by Senator Sullivan will reveal that the people that voted for him and put him in office do not support marijuana legalization.

    • You sound just like the liberals blaming Russia for Trumps win, as if George Soros personally twisted my arm and forced me how to vote in favor of the decriminalization of marijuana in Alaska.
      Voter referendum is how citizens get things done in this state. I bet that you claim to be a conservative in favor of states rights huh? But at the same time are in favor of the feds bullying states and the people around.

      • Absent Mr. Soros’ financial support, the vote on the initiative would have been much closer. Mr. Soros may be your kind of guy, but he isn’t mine.

        On the “states rights” issue, it is true that the States have the power to legislate the law of the State. It is quite another matter to suggest that this should pre-empt federal law. Under the supremacy clause, when the federal government exercises authority delegated to it under the Constitution, the federal enactment is the supreme law of the land. I don’t like that result in some cases, but that does not change things.

        Senator Sullivan seems to allude to the notion that perhaps the federal law on marijuana should be changed. I suspect that if he were to favor such a change, it would come as a surprise to most of the people that voted to elect him to the Senate. Senator Sullivan needs to carefully consider his next move on marijuana.

  2. I guess no one can tell the difference between a presidential order or decree or whatever and a LAW. Obama got a lot done by “Executive Order” bypassing the system we have for making law. EVERYONE knew pot was against federal law. EVERYONE but they all went ahead as if the letter to DOJ from Obama was LAW. This is your brain or wallet on drugs. Executive Orders and letters are almost always undone by the next administration. It would be like investing all your money on federally mandated transgender bathrooms under the Obama administration. What did you think was going to happen. Maybe you can get it done through the SCOTUS as a tax thing like Obamacare.

  3. We need to send as much information available to Senator Sullivan. He has definitely been reading or talking to the wrong people,probablyLisa. The damage that marijuana will do to our nation will never justify the tax money raised or the alleged freedom. Alcohol abuse will pale in comparison.

  4. I’m astonished at how ignorant many of you are about not only cannabis, but the notion of freedom and liberty.
    If you think cannabis is dangerous, you are obviously wrong.
    If you think prohibition is good for liberty, you are equally wrong.
    Why do conservatives hate freedom so?

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