The governors of 12 states across the U.S. penned a letter to leaders in Congress on Monday (June 3) urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation which will make it possible for states to pass their own marijuana laws and implement them without any fear that the federal government will interfere in their jurisdictions.
In their letter, the Democratic and Republican governors noted that the majority of the states in the country have taken steps to legalize marijuana either for recreational or medical use. The governors also stated that state legislators had gone to great lengths to draft and pass regulations which would protect consumers, eliminate illegal marijuana sales, promote public safety and regulate the nascent marijuana industry.
Despite those great lengths to which states have gone to ensure that the emerging cannabis industry grows in a responsible way, those states only have Congressional funding riders as safeguards against federal interference in the marijuana industry. Such riders aren’t sufficient, and the governors want Congress to codify those protections into law.
The governors make specific reference to the STATES (Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States) Act. The governors describe this bipartisan bill as a logical step for the federal government to take since the bill would protect marijuana businesses which are operating in accordance with state law.
They also write that the STATES Act doesn’t seek to take sides regarding whether cannabis should or shouldn’t be legal. The Act simply recognizes that states have a right to pass and implement laws which respond to the needs of their people.
In short, the governors write that the STATES Act would make the federal government a partner of the constituent states which make up the union instead of being an impediment. The governors would wish to see the federal government constantly seeking to be a partner of the different states.
The governors of Colorado, California, Maryland, North Dakota, Massachusetts, New York, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington State signed the letter.
This letter is similar to another which was also signed by 12 governors. The version sent last year didn’t have Vermont and Utah as signees but it included New Jersey and Alaska (whose governors didn’t sign this latest letter).
The letter from the bipartisan governors adds to the long list of groups which have written to Congress calling for federal marijuana law reform. The other groups include the association of banking institutions, the association of cities and local authorities as well as attorneys general.
For how long will the federal government remain impervious to all these calls? Nabis Holdings (CSE: NAB) (OTC: INNPF) (FRA: 71P) and MustGrow Biologics Corp. hope it doesn’t take much longer than it already has for the federal government to listen and act upon the voices calling for cannabis law reform.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor
CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
