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Attorney general: Feds to weigh marijuana's effect on children

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Published: Apr 18, 2013 at 3:31 PM PDT

WASHINGTON (AP) - How it affects children will be one factor the Justice Department weighs as it determines how to respond to the legalization of marijuana in Washington state and Colorado, Attorney General Eric Holder told Congress Thursday.

"When it comes to these marijuana initiatives, I think among the kinds of things we will have to consider is the impact on children," along with factors such as violence connected to trafficking and organized crime, Holder told a House Appropriations subcommittee. He commented in response to questions about ballot initiatives legalizing the drug that passed last year.

"We are certainly going to enforce federal law," Holder said.

Marijuana is illegal under federal law, and one congressman pressed Holder to challenge the state initiatives in court. Holder said he hasn't decided what to do.

In December, President Barack Obama said in an ABC interview that the federal government won't go after recreational marijuana use in the two states that have legalized it. When asked if he supported legalization, he responded, "I wouldn't go that far."

Holder reminded the panel of that, and added, "I'm not for it either."

But Rep. Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican, said that the president didn't take a position on the initiatives, and urged the Justice Department to do so.

"Your department could choose to attempt to overturn those laws," said Harris, a physician. That would send a message to America's youth that marijuana is not a safe drug, he added. "Kids need clear messages and I'm afraid we're not sending them one," he said.

Harris pressed Holder on when a decision might come, "because children are dying from drugs. It is a scourge ... can you give me a general idea of when that decision's going to be made?"

Holder would only say, "As quick as we can."

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ohh the children, we must save the children..:rastasmoke:

this article is from last month but I just found it thought it was interesting, it shows the DOJ's new narrative and it is inline with the 1,000 ft from school nonsense they are saying right now in No Cal. but also, check out this Andy Harris character. this is what Holder has to deal with. Maryland has a state bill that would legalize adult cannabis use. It would be funny if that passed and then Harris can have his federalies attack his home state. :wtf:

my advice for Holder, tell 'em to fuck off. or .. explain to them that in our system of federalism that each of our states have the Constitutional right to make their own local laws and act as mini laboratories on important issues. i think most people understand this. it only the die hard statists that don't get it, and there really isn't much hope for them. :twocents:
boaz Reviewed by boaz on . Cannabis Legalization Security Alert Status by State Places that have decriminalized non-medical cannabis in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 290481 Light Green - State with legal medical cannabis Green - State with decriminalized cannabis possession laws Dark Green - State with both medical and decriminalization laws Purple - State with legalized cannabis Rating: 5