OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Several states have started reassessing their medical marijuana laws after stern warnings from the federal government that everyone from licensed growers to regulators could be subjected to prosecution.
Government lawyers have sent letters with various warnings to officials in California, Colorado, Montana, Rhode Island and Washington. The memos led Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (GREG’-wahr) to veto a proposal that would have created licensed marijuana dispensaries.
Gregoire now wants to work with other states to push for changes to federal marijuana laws.
The Department of Justice said two years ago that it would be an inefficient use of funds to target people who are complying with state law. But U.S. attorneys have recently said they would consider civil or criminal penalties even against people who are abiding by state law.
