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
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
AG AND GOVERNOR OFFER ADDITIONAL DETAIL ON SESSIONS LETTER (Washington State Marijuana)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug 4 2017
Following their statements earlier today, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Governor Jay Inslee offer two examples of misleading information in U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ letter dated July 24:
From the letter’s first bullet: “The medical market for (for marijuana) is considered ‘grey’ due to the lack of regulation and oversight and furthermore, aspects of Washington’s regulatory structure for the ‘medical market’ have unintentionally led to the growth of the black market enterprises.”
Response: This information pre-dates Washington state’s 2015 Cannabis Patient Protection Act, bringing the medical marijuana market under the same robust regulatory system as recreational marijuana. Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board verified all unlicensed storefronts were closed July 1, 2016.
Also from the letter: “In 2014 alone, 17 THC extraction labs exploded”
Response: In three years of legalization, no licensed extraction business has exploded. The incidents referred to in Sessions’ letter were black or gray market facilities, often using butane in an enclosed space rather than a lab.
The state will have a more complete response with additional details in the coming days.
Aug 4 2017
Following their statements earlier today, Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Governor Jay Inslee offer two examples of misleading information in U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ letter dated July 24:
From the letter’s first bullet: “The medical market for (for marijuana) is considered ‘grey’ due to the lack of regulation and oversight and furthermore, aspects of Washington’s regulatory structure for the ‘medical market’ have unintentionally led to the growth of the black market enterprises.”
Response: This information pre-dates Washington state’s 2015 Cannabis Patient Protection Act, bringing the medical marijuana market under the same robust regulatory system as recreational marijuana. Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board verified all unlicensed storefronts were closed July 1, 2016.
Also from the letter: “In 2014 alone, 17 THC extraction labs exploded”
Response: In three years of legalization, no licensed extraction business has exploded. The incidents referred to in Sessions’ letter were black or gray market facilities, often using butane in an enclosed space rather than a lab.
The state will have a more complete response with additional details in the coming days.
http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-and-governor-offer-additional-detail-sessions-letter
Related
Wash. state defends its oversight of legal pot as AG Sessions takes aim
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Recent disparaging remarks made by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session's about Washington state's regulation of recreational marijuana are based on "incomplete, inaccurate and out-of-date information," state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Friday.
In response to a letter from Sessions questioning and criticizing the state's regulatory oversight of the legal marijuana industry, Ferguson issued a statement defending the state's oversight of legal pot - and also said Sessions has so far ignored repeated invitations to to meet in person to discuss the issue face to face.
"If he does accept, I look forward to providing him with a more complete picture of the robust regulatory program that exists in our state," Ferguson said.
Gov. Jay Inslee also took exception to Session's letter.
"It is clear that our goals regarding health and safety are in step with the goals AG Sessions has articulated. Unfortunately he is referring to incomplete and unreliable data that does not provide the most accurate snapshot of our efforts since the marketplace opened in 2014. Our team is currently reviewing his letter, and we will have a more detailed response in the coming days. I look forward to speaking with AG Sessions to make sure he fully understands everything our state is doing to accomplish our shared goals," Inslee said in a statement.
In response to a letter from Sessions questioning and criticizing the state's regulatory oversight of the legal marijuana industry, Ferguson issued a statement defending the state's oversight of legal pot - and also said Sessions has so far ignored repeated invitations to to meet in person to discuss the issue face to face.
"If he does accept, I look forward to providing him with a more complete picture of the robust regulatory program that exists in our state," Ferguson said.
Gov. Jay Inslee also took exception to Session's letter.
"It is clear that our goals regarding health and safety are in step with the goals AG Sessions has articulated. Unfortunately he is referring to incomplete and unreliable data that does not provide the most accurate snapshot of our efforts since the marketplace opened in 2014. Our team is currently reviewing his letter, and we will have a more detailed response in the coming days. I look forward to speaking with AG Sessions to make sure he fully understands everything our state is doing to accomplish our shared goals," Inslee said in a statement.
http://komonews.com/news/local/official-defends-wash-states-oversight-of-legal-pot-as-feds-take-aim
8 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
