Ex-DEA heads: Obama administration should nullify state marijuana laws
As many as seven in 10 Florida voters support a state constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana — more than enough to ensure passage and possibly affect the governor’s race.
Photographer: Uriel Sinai
Posted: 03/05/2013
CHICAGO (AP) - Eight former Drug Enforcement Administration chiefs say the clock is ticking and the federal government needs to act now to nullify Colorado and Washington's laws legalizing recreational marijuana use.
The onetime DEA heads are issuing joint statements Tuesday saying the Obama administration has reacted too slowly and should immediately sue to force the states to rescind the legislation.
The Associated Press received an advanced copy of the statement Monday.
The two states are pushing ahead to implement their laws. One of the former DEA administrators, Peter Bensinger, says the more time goes by, the harder it will be to stop them. Marijuana is illegal under federal law.
Bensinger, a Chicago-area resident, says not acting forthrightly to sue the states might create "a domino effect" in which other states follow suit.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PRINT
Top Political News
-
Weiner launches bid to become NYC mayor
Anthony Weiner, the ex-congressman who resigned over raunchy tweets, in the New York City mayoral race.
-
$1.5 million to squirrel-proof Tampa
-
Vote on gay Scouts coming Thursday
-
FOX News hires ex-Fla. US Rep Allen West
-
House: IRS errors typical of Obama gov't
-
GOP's Rand Paul preparing for 2016 run
