[420 Girl]

When it comes to federal-versus-state laws, not every issue is equal, especially when it involves politics.

Before Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1070, the state's anti-immigration law, President Obama called it misguided. Three months later, in July, the Obama administration sued Arizona, saying only the federal government can set immigration policy. The lawsuit cited the Constitution's Supremacy Clause, which says that when state and federal laws are in conflict, federal law prevails. The case has not yet made its way through the courts.

Enter into the debate: marijuana.

California voters will decide Proposition 19 in November. It would allow adults to possess as much as one ounce of marijuana. Local governments would be allowed to tax its sales. Meanwhile, Arizona voters will see Proposition 203 on Election Day. It seeks to legalize marijuana for medical uses.

Former Drug Enforcement Agency administrators stated in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder that Obama should do to the drug issue the same thing he did to SB 1070 - sue to halt it, according to The Associated Press. Under federal law, marijuana is illegal to use, possess or sell.

We see the issue differently.

First, marijuana - as a state issue - has been ongoing for decades. Still, the federal government has not sued to halt its even-partial legalization - aka medical marijuana. The Justice Department did not weigh in on Arizona's immigration law until after Brewer signed it, so the Obama administration likely will not act until well after the elections.

However, its actions against Arizona and SB 1070 were more about politics than anything else.

Because of that, the federal government should stop while it's behind and quit working to unravel state legislative actions or, in the case of marijuana, the will of the voters.

Even more clearly: Unless the issue involves a violation of the Bill of Rights, stay out of the states' business.


NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
Contact: Questions? Comments? Tell us what you think - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
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Website:Editorial: Feds contradict the people's will - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona


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