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Washington state regulators are in the midst of doing something never before accomplished - drafting rules for the state's newly legal recreational marijuana industry. They are starting from scratch and although they have heard a lot of suggestions as to how to proceed, what they would really like is clearer directives from the federal government. It has, after all become a task of developing a systemthat could avoid being shut down. Currently the federal government and the DEA continue to force medical marijuana dispensaries to close on a regular basis based on the fact that the feds still consider marijuana an illegal substance despite voters approving its use in Washington State. Local Chris Marr, one of three appointed members of the state Liquor Control Board who is drafting state marijuana rules, recently states that the U.S. Department of Justice has been no help at all. Marr reportedly said, "Policy is being established that will be a precursor for a large number of states. It's irresponsible. They should at least engage even if just for the purposes of information gathering." Washington,along with Colorado, became the first U.S. states to legalize recreational marijuana use. The new law allowing the use was passed by voters. It is for this reason that Marr and his fellow regulators don’t understand the feds silence on the issue. There is hope that the state will have recreational-use marijuana stores open starting next year but first they need to set guidelines for the process and even though they are getting no help from the federal government and the feds continue to see marijuana as illegal, the regulators are pushing forward. Both Colorado and Washington are proceeding with efforts to create rules for the industry in terms of marketing. Everyone agrees that there needs to be some provisions in terms of advertising restrictions and security requirements for growing operations. Marr and his fellow regulators believe that if the federal government got involved at this point in the process, it would give federal authorities a voice. There is no doubt that whatever the regulators in Washington and Colorado come up with it will be a model for other states that legalize marijuana in the future. But instead of aiding state regulators, the Obama administration continues to ignore the need to groundwork. Recently, during an ABC news interview, the President stated that he "has bigger fish to fry" than going after recreational marijuana users. Despite this, however, the DEA continues to send threatening letters to dispensaries and even went so far recently as to “raid” local dispensaries. According to a spokesman for Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, he and state Attorney General Bob Ferguson did indeed meet with Holder in January to discuss the state's plans despite seemingly ignoring the regulators. According to reports Holder asked questions regarding labeling requirements and keeping marijuana from leaving the state. Inslee responded to Holder’s questions; however he has not been in direct contact with Holder since. About The Author : Jim Richard has been involved in the Marijuana Industry in various ways from a active grower, Marijuana Dispensary web designer and active Washington State Marijuana activist. The Marijuana Hookup is his latest creation to connect medical patients with quality medical marijuana.
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