State Legislature Group Urges Congress to Allow States to Set Own Marijuana Policies

A national group representing state legislatures is calling on Congress to allow states to set their own policies on marijuana and hemp. The National Conference of State Legislatures urged the Obama Administration not to interfere with state marijuana and hemp policies.

The nonpartisan national group approved the policy statement in a voice vote last week, according to U.S. News & World Report.

According to the resolution, “Members have differing views on how to treat marijuana and hemp in their states and believes that states and localities should be able to set whatever marijuana and hemp policies work best to improve the public safety, health, and economic development of their communities.”

“I think there’s every indication that a sea change is taking place in the country,” said New Hampshire State Representative Renny Cushing, who sponsored the measure. “People are realizing it’s the end of prohibition, the parallels are very similar to what happened when the U.S. realized the prohibition of alcohol was a failed public policy.”

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. In 2013, the U.S. Justice Department announced it would allow Colorado and Washington to carry out their recreational marijuana laws. The department said it would focus enforcement on criminal charges in specific areas, such as distribution to minors.

Voters in Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia joined Colorado and Washington in legalizing small amounts of marijuana for adult recreational use in the November 2014 election. A total of 23 states, the District of Columbia and Guam now allow for comprehensive public medical marijuana and cannabis programs.