Jolt
Governor Gregoire Issues Partial Veto of Medical Marijuana Bill
Today's Loser: Medical Marijuana
At a bill signing ceremony this afternoon, Governor Christine Gregoire made the unusual step of vetoing parts of Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36, Seattle) medical marijuana legislation, including a registry provision which would have prevented users from search and seizure from local authorities. She did keep the arrest protection provision, though, which prevents officers from arresting first and asking questions later and she kept certain sections that allow users to grow marijuana themselves, as well as participate in collective gardens.
Gregoire cited a number of letters and actions by US attorneys across the country in her defense. "The landscape is changing," she repeatedly stated, and argued that the change must come at the federal level with regard to dispensaries, before further movement can be made at the state level. "State law does not trump federal law."
Over the last month, the Governor has voiced concerns about the legislation, specifically, she says, it will expose state employees to federal prosecution. Today, she reiterated that point: "We cannot assure protections to one group of people in a way that subjects another group […] to federal arrest or criminal liability. That is not acceptable to me."
Groups such as the ACLU, which lobbied for the bill all session, have criticized Gregoire sharply in the last 24 hours. In a press release this morning, they reiterated their political attack saying "the Governor has flunked tests of leadership and compassion" by vetoing the Kohl-Welles' legislation.
After Gregoire's prepared statements she fielded questions from a skeptical press who asked her to square her veto with the lack of a crackdown in other states. She also sought to swat down claims that she was vetoing the legislation as part of a career move, saying she was doing it only "for my mind" and for the protection of state employees.
At a bill signing ceremony this afternoon, Governor Christine Gregoire made the unusual step of vetoing parts of Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36, Seattle) medical marijuana legislation, including a registry provision which would have prevented users from search and seizure from local authorities. She did keep the arrest protection provision, though, which prevents officers from arresting first and asking questions later and she kept certain sections that allow users to grow marijuana themselves, as well as participate in collective gardens.
Gregoire cited a number of letters and actions by US attorneys across the country in her defense. "The landscape is changing," she repeatedly stated, and argued that the change must come at the federal level with regard to dispensaries, before further movement can be made at the state level. "State law does not trump federal law."
Over the last month, the Governor has voiced concerns about the legislation, specifically, she says, it will expose state employees to federal prosecution. Today, she reiterated that point: "We cannot assure protections to one group of people in a way that subjects another group […] to federal arrest or criminal liability. That is not acceptable to me."
Groups such as the ACLU, which lobbied for the bill all session, have criticized Gregoire sharply in the last 24 hours. In a press release this morning, they reiterated their political attack saying "the Governor has flunked tests of leadership and compassion" by vetoing the Kohl-Welles' legislation.
After Gregoire's prepared statements she fielded questions from a skeptical press who asked her to square her veto with the lack of a crackdown in other states. She also sought to swat down claims that she was vetoing the legislation as part of a career move, saying she was doing it only "for my mind" and for the protection of state employees.
