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.”
Cathy McMorris Rodgers – R
Colville Office
555 South Main Street, Colville, WA 99114
Phone: 509-684-3481
Spokane Office
10 North Post Street, Suite 625, Spokane, WA 99201
Phone: 509-353-2374
Walla Walla Office
26 E. Main Street, Suite 2, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 509-529-9358
Washington, D.C. Office
1314 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-2006
Fax: 202-225-3392
Derek Kilmer – D
Washington, DC Office
1520 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5916
M-F: 9:00am – 6:00pm (EST)
Tacoma Office
950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1230, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (253) 272-3515
M-F: 9:00am – 5:00pm (PST)
Bremerton Office
345 6th Street, Suite 500, Bremerton, WA 98337
Phone: (360) 373-9725
M-F: 9:00am – 5:00pm (PST)
Port Angeles Office
332 E 5th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 797-3623
Tues: 9:00am-Noon (PST)
Wed-Thurs: 1:00pm-4:00pm (PST)
Pramila Jayapal – D
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
319 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3106
SEATTLE OFFICE
1904 3rd Ave., Suite 510, Seattle, WA 98101
Suzan DelBene – D
Washington, DC Office
2442 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
phone: (202) 225-6311
fax: (202) 226-1606
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
Bothell Office
Canyon Park Business Center, 22121 17th Ave SE, Bldg E, Suite 220, Bothell, WA 98021
phone: (425) 485-0085
fax: (425) 485-0083
hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm
Mount Vernon Office
204 W. Montgomery Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
phone: (360) 416-7879
fax: (425) 485-0083
Rick Larsen – D
Washington, DC Office
2113 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2605
Fax: (202) 225-4420
Bellingham Office
119 North Commercial Street Suite 1350, Bellingham , WA 98225
Phone: 360-733-4500; Toll Free: 800-562-1385
Fax: 360-733-5144
Everett Office
Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 9F, Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425-252-3188; Toll Free: 800-562-1385
Fax: 425-252-6606
Jaime Herrera Beutler – R
Vancouver Office
O.O. Howard House (Officers’ Row), 750 Anderson Street, Suite B, Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: (360) 695-6292
Fax: (360) 695-6197
Chehalis Office
Chehalis City Hall Building, 350 N. Market Blvd, Chehalis, WA 98532
Hours: Tuesdays from 11:30am – 1:00pm
Washington, DC Office
1107 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3536
Fax: (202) 225-3478
Dan Newhouse – R
Washington, DC Office
1318 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5816
Fax: (202) 225-3251
Yakima Office
402 E. Yakima Ave, Suite #445, Yakima, WA 98901
Phone: (509) 452-3243
Fax: (509) 452-3438
Tri-Cities Office
3100 George Washington Way #135, Richland, WA 99354
Phone: (509) 713-7374
Fax: (509) 713-7377
North District: Okanogan and Douglas Counties
P.O. Box 823, Twisp, WA 98856
Phone: (509) 433-7760
David Reichert – R
Washington, DC Office
1127 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-7761
Fax: (202) 225-4282
Issaquah Office
22605 SE 56th Street , uite 130, Issaquah, WA 98029
Phone: (425) 677-7414 or (877) 920-9208
Fax: (425) 270-3589
Wenatchee Office
5 South Wenatchee Ave,, Suite 315, Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone: (509)885-6615
Adam Smith – D
Washington, D.C. Office Information
2264 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-8901
Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm EST
District Office Information
101 Evergreen Building, 15 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Phone: (425) 793-5180
Fax: (425) 793-5181
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm PST
Mobile Office Hours: Beacon Hill
2821 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144
Dates: January 6th
Beacon Hill will be closed in February
Time: 11am-1pm
Denny Heck – D
Washington, DC Office
425 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-9740
fax: 202-225-0129
hours: M-F 9-6:00pm EST
Pierce County Office
6000 Main Street SW, Suite 3B, Lakewood, WA 98499
phone: 253-533-8332
hours: please call first to make an appointment
Thurston and Mason County Office
420 College Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503
phone: 360-459-8514
hours: M-F 8-5:00pm PST