States Consider Enacting "Sanctuary" Laws to Protect Pot Businesses

What’s the story?

Berkeley, CA declared itself a sanctuary for recreational marijuana use. Now lawmakers are considering sanctuary laws for the entirety of California, Alaska, and Massachusetts, reports ABC News.

The Berkeley law prohibits, "any city funds or resources to assist in the enforcement of federal drug laws related to cannabis." The proposed state laws would function similarly.

States cannot prevent federal officials from pursuing cases against marijuana businesses in states that have made marijuana legal, since marijuana for both medical and recreational use is still illegal under federal law. But they can potentially prohibit state officials from providing any assistance in pursuing those cases.

Not everyone in the three states supports the bills. Peter Miynarik, a police chief in Soldotna, Alaska who served on Alaska's marijuana regulatory board told ABC, "It's crazy to put that burden on, especially, police officers that are supposed to obey federal laws."

He questioned what would happen if police went to a location pursuing a heroin bust and found marijuana also present. Would they have to stop pursuing the case?

What do you think?

Do you support these marijuana sanctuary laws or not? If you think they’re on the right track but need improvement, what would you suggest to improve them? Are marijuana sanctuary laws the answer, or do you have other ideas how to deal with the tension between state and federal marijuana laws?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

Take Action

— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Pixabay / Creative Commons)