Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Jesus Malverde

(10,274 posts)
Fri Feb 7, 2014, 07:25 PM Feb 2014

U.S. Marijuana Laws: Time for Some Clear-Eyed Logic

Twenty states plus the District of Columbia now allow the sale of medical marijuana, while Colorado and Washington have legalized the drug for recreational use. Yet federal law still prohibits the possession, use, and sale of marijuana for any reason. This dichotomy explains why some banks are reluctant to accept the big cash deposits that pot purveyors generate—even if the cash is legal under state law.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has promised to issue guidelines to make it easier for marijuana sellers who are operating in accordance with their state laws to use the banking system. Large amounts of cash “just kind of lying around with no place for it to be appropriately deposited,” Holder mused, “is something that would worry me, from a law enforcement perspective.”

The fact is, Holder encouraged those bundles of unbanked cash to be assembled in the first place. Last year he said the Department of Justice wouldn’t seek to overturn the Colorado and Washington measures or interfere with the 20 states that allow medical marijuana, leaving it to local authorities to enforce marijuana laws.

All of which raises the question: When did it become acceptable for the country’s top law enforcement officer to decide which federal statutes to enforce and which to ignore? Even those who agree with the broader policy of marijuana legalization should be left uneasy by open defiance of the rule of law.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-06/u-dot-s-dot-marijuana-laws-time-for-some-clear-eyed-logic

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
U.S. Marijuana Laws: Time for Some Clear-Eyed Logic (Original Post) Jesus Malverde Feb 2014 OP
Banks that stole peoples homes Politicalboi Feb 2014 #1
Eventually they'll have to start a credit union Warpy Feb 2014 #2
 

Politicalboi

(15,189 posts)
1. Banks that stole peoples homes
Fri Feb 7, 2014, 07:28 PM
Feb 2014

Are worried for themselves. LOL! Don't worry JP the DEA will let you guys keep half of the profit.

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
2. Eventually they'll have to start a credit union
Fri Feb 7, 2014, 07:52 PM
Feb 2014

that gives them a safe place to bank plus a place to borrow when they need to expand their premises.

It's either that or the gummint will have to throw up its hands in defeat, something it should have done by the 1980s when it was obvious that punitive drug laws weren't working one little bit.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Drug Policy»U.S. Marijuana Laws: Time...