Reps. from Colorado want state marijuana laws protected

A bipartisan group of lawmakers form Colorado and other states proposed legislation that would safeguard the newly approved marijuana laws in their states.

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) will introduce the “Respect States’ and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2012,” which would prohibit federal law from pre-empting state marijuana laws. Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize the drug for recreational use last week.

“In Colorado we’ve witnessed the aggressive policies of the federal government in their treatment of legal medicinal marijuana providers,” Degette said in a statement Friday. “My constituents have spoken and I don’t want the federal government denying money to Colorado or taking other punitive steps that would undermine the will of our citizens.”

Fellow Colorado Republican Rep. Mike Coffman said he would support the legislation despite voting against and opposing marijuana legalization. Last week, 55 percent of voters approved of a law that would allow a person to possess up to an ounce of marijuana.

“I strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana, but I also have an obligation to respect the will of the voters given the passage of this initiative, and so I feel obligated to support this legislation,” Coffman said.

Other supporters include Reps. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Sam Farr (D-Calif.).

Outgoing Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) have been champions of similar legislation. Earlier this week, they sent a letter to President Obama calling for him to respect the wishes of voters.

While both states voted for legalization, marijuana is still outlawed on the federal level. The Drug Enforcement Agency has said federal law has not changed and it is reviewing the new state laws.