GOP hopefuls criticize Obama marijuana policy but hedge on their own

The Washington Times ^ | April 1, 2015 | Seth McLaughlin

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Republican presidential hopefuls are united in blasting President Obama for his chaotic enforcement of marijuana laws, but the unity quickly breaks down when they are asked how they would handle things if they were in the White House.

Some have sent mixed signals, saying state decisions should be respected while questioning how Mr. Obama has respected those decisions. Others have refused to say how they would wield the federal bureaucracy against marijuana.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is one of the few potential candidates to take a firm stance, saying he would insist on following federal statutes that outlaw the drug.

“I don’t think you can ignore federal law,” Mr. Jindal told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt, who asked whether the governor would “bring the hammer” down on pot stores in states with legalization laws. “Federal law is still the law of the land. It still needs to be enforced.”

The confusion stems from the conflict between federal law, which classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug on par with heroin and LSD, and states where pot has been legalized for medicinal use or, in a growing number of states, where it has been approved for recreational use.

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Alaska, Oregon and the District also have followed in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington by allowing recreational use of the drug. Several other states, such as California, Maine, Arizona and Nevada, which hosts an early presidential nomination contest, are heading in a similar direction.

[ConservingFreedom]

legalizing marijuana at the federal level, which is his actual position

Not that I'm disagreeing, but on what do you base this conclusion?

[wolfman23601]

His stated position, as per the article, is that it is up to states like Washington and Colorado to set these policies. Another way of saying that is there shouldn’t be a federal law.

[MortMan]

As far as I am concerned, legalize it. But ANY offense under MJ influence is subject to a 2x-3x harsher penalty as an aggravating factor.

[SunkenCiv]

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[ConservingFreedom]

• Colorado's legal pot 3 times stronger...and contaminated with fungus, heavy metals & pesticides
  
  "much of Colorado's marijuana is contaminated with high levels of fungus spores and bacteria. It's not known what levels of those microorganisms are safe"
  
  If the unsafe level is not known, how can it be claimed that the detected levels are "high"? The anti-pot zealots at the Daily Mail know no bounds nor shame.
  
  That said, some tightening of product regulations appears warranted here - tightening that can happen only for a legal product.
  
  
• Southern Oregon medical marijuana growers fear industrial hemp could ruin their crops
  
  "Some outdoor marijuana growers want industrial hemp cultivation to be limited to eastern Oregon - far from their lucrative marijuana crops. At the very least, they don't want hemp in Josephine, Jackson and Douglas counties."
  
  Big deal.

[ConservingFreedom]

ANY offense under MJ influence is subject to a 2x-3x harsher penalty as an aggravating factor.

Same policy for alcohol?

[SunkenCiv]

That’s cool, it’s a great industry in which to be a salesman.

[MortMan]

Absolutely.

BUT - I would also add that “we were drunk/stoned and had sex without being forced, and I regret it, so he raped me” must become a laughable charge at least, and a punishable charge in probable reality.