Colorado, Washington Senators Ask White House for Uniform Marijuana Policy

The four U.S. senators from Colorado and Washington state have asked the White House to establish “consistent and uniform” marijuana guidelines.

Federal policies toward marijuana use in states that have legalized the drug are often at odds with one another, the senators wrote in a letter this week to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Attorney General Eric Holder.

“We believe the federal government should support Colorado and Washington state’s effort to establish a successful regulatory framework in a way that achieves greater certainty for local officials, citizens, and business owners as they tackle this complicated and important task. At times, however, certain federal agencies have taken different approaches that seem to be at odds with one another and may undermine our states’ ability to regulate the industry adequately,” the senators wrote.

“Without such guidance, our states’ citizens face uncertainty and risk the inconsistent application of federal law in Colorado and Washington state, including the potential for selective enforcement actions and prosecution,” they added.

It was signed by Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet of Colorado, and Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington, according to The Denver Post.

The senators noted the Bureau of Reclamation, which provides water to large sections of the western United States, will not approve the use of the bureau’s facilities or water in the cultivation of marijuana. Reclamation facilities must notify the Department of Justice of any such use. The senators said the bureau’s policy contrasts with the Justice Department’s more hands-off policy toward marijuana, the newspaper noted.