Support the “Respect State Marijuana Laws” Act

The new US Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, said at his confirmation hearing that if the nation didn’t want him to enforce federal laws on marijuana, then those laws needed to change in congress.

Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California has introduced the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act (H.R. 975), in which he explains that treating marijuana as a states issue is fundamental to President Trump’s campaign promises to limit government, cut excessive spending, fight drug cartels, and bring jobs back to America:

“President Trump’s statements on the campaign trail loudly and aggressively challenged the status quo. We haven’t had someone here shaking up the status quo for a long time, but he did so by promising to revisit a whole host of failed Federal policies that have been crying out for attention for years and, in some cases, decades.

“Once such failed policy has been the U.S. Government spending billions of dollars and wasting the time of Federal employees–hundreds of thousands, if not maybe tens of thousands of Federal employees–in order to prevent adults from smoking a weed, marijuana.

“Candidate Trump told the voters this was an issue to be left up to the States, especially when it comes to medical marijuana.

“At a 2015 rally in Sparks, Nevada, then-Candidate Trump said: ‘Marijuana is such a big thing. I think medical should happen– right? Don’t we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states. In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state.’

“My bill is short, straightforward, and easy to understand. It amends the Controlled Substances Act to add a new rule that reads as follows: ‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subchapter related to marijuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, or administration or delivery of marijuana.’“

Congressman Rohrabacher’s bill is currently sitting at the Gov’t. Publishing Office (GPO), and will be submitted to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce within a matter of days. There will be a massive movement across the country to get congressional representatives behind this legislation, and we must do our part here in WA State to get our congressional delegation on board. This is a bi-partisan effort that is long overdue, and it comes at a time when the Republican party really needs a win they can point to that upholds campaign promises.

There are currently 12 house members that have co-sponsored the bill and NONE of them are from the WA State Delegation. We need to phone the WA State Congressional delegation to get on as co-sponsors.

Especially important will be support from Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers R-WA of the 5th District (that’s the eastern 5th of the state, Spokane, Colville, Walla Walla). She is on the House Committee of Energy and Commerce, which is the committee this bill will need to pass before seeing vote on the floor. McMorris has historically not been friendly to marijuana, so we need to force the issue with her by flooding her with requests to co-sponsor the legislation from her constituents.

Call Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Call your District Representative. You can find your congressional district here. Ask your colleagues and friends to call. More importantly: ask your vendors to call. Be honest about what district you vote in, but don’t be afraid to call Rep Rodgers even if you aren’t in her district. She should be looking out for all Washington citizens and businesses.

“Hi, I’m a constituent of Representative _______________, and I applaud [her/his] work to protect the economic vitality of the State of Washington, while protecting state’s rights, individual freedom, and business interests. President Reagan’s speechwriter, and current Republican Congress Member, Dana Rohrabacher, has introduced H.R. 975, which aims to provide common sense legislation to Respect State’s Marijuana Laws to provide safe access to ill patients, while protecting state licensed business operators.

“Newly appointed Attorney General, Jeff Sessions asked at his confirmation hearing, that Congress act on this issue. Republicans from Florida, Kentucky, Alaska, Michigan, and California, as well as Democrats from Tennessee, Wisconsin, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and California are stepping up to address this state’s rights issue. I ask that you stand with them, and co-sponsor H.R. 975.

[VERY briefly tell your story: “I am a (patient/consumer/business owner employing XXX number of people) in the State of Washington, and how you and the state have benefited from the new laws.” Remember to be tactful and respectful of the staffers time. Thank them for their time, and for conveying the message.]

“Please join your colleagues in support for this long-overdue common sense legislation.”

(Image attribution: High Times)