Hinchey presses Holder on state pot laws

Lawmakers in both parties on the House Appropriations Committee have included language in an upcoming spending bill that would force Attorney General Eric Holder to clarify the Obama administration’s position on medical marijuana.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) introduced language to a commerce-justice-science appropriations bill that would have Holder formally explain how or whether he’d use federal resources to prosecute individuals who take advantage of state medical marijuana laws.

“There have been conflicting public reports about the Department’s enforcement of medical marijuana policies,” Hinchey’s language reads. “Within 60 days of enactment, the Department shall provide to the Committee clarification of the Department’s policy regarding enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources against individuals involved in medical marijuana activities.”

Holder has indicated the Justice Department might not raid or prosecute state facilities that dispense medical marijuana.

An on-the-record proclamation from Holder would accompany signals from the Obama administration that it would be shifting its approach to counter-narcotics.

Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, in a role that no longer receives a Cabinet-level ranking, declared an end to the idea of a “War on Drugs” in May.

“We are glad to see the federal government finally moving toward sanity on medical marijuana,” said Marijuana Policy Project director of government relations Aaron Houston. “No one battling serious illness and following their state’s laws should live in fear of our federal government, and we look forward to clear assurances that suffering patients will be left alone.”