Washington - April, 2011 - In the state of Washington there is still a battle being pitted between the US federal government and Washington Medical Marijuana Laws, as the US Attorney's Office, regarding the federal legality of their medical marijuana program, has recently issued a statement.
This is particularly in reference to medical marijuana dispensaries that are currently operating in the state.
Just this past week, US Attorney General Eric Holder responded to a letter that was submitted to him by the governor of Washington, asking for the federal government to not prosecute or go after any medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington.
The actual letter that was submitted to Holder's office is not available for the press. However, the office told the press that it was basically a letter asking Holder to grant federal immunity to dispensaries that are operating within the state and under the state guidelines and laws for medical marijuana in Washington.
Holder did not issue the response that the governor of the state wanted to hear or its residents and qualified and law biding medical marijuana users.
Holder, citing from the federal Controlled Substances Act, responded by stating that, "as such growing, possessing and distributing marijuana in any capacity other than as part of a federally authorized research program is a violation of federal law regardless of state laws permitting such activities."
The feds did say that they would not be "policing" seriously ill patients who are using medical marijuana. However, Holder did say that the feds still will go after dispensaries or any entity or person who is violating federal law.
A turn of events since Obama took office promising the states in the union that the feds would not be going after medical marijuana dispensaries any longer. (A statement that was issued by the US Attorneys Office in 2009.)
More importantly, Holder said that any state employees that work to monitor state run medical marijuana programs could be subjected to civil and or criminal penalties. The letter addresses this stating, "...state employees who conducted activities mandated by the Washington Legislative proposals would not be immune from liability under the CSA."
State issued medical marijuana cards in Washington cost $200 per year and allow patients to purchase as much as 2 ounces per month from dispensaries with a THC content that is not higher than 10 percent.
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