Press Release: Brookings Institution Calls Roll Out of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado a Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 31, 2014

Contact: Darby Beck: darby.beck@leap.cc 415.823.5496

BROOKINGS INSTITUTION REPORT: ROLL OUT OF COLORADO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION SUCCESSFUL

The Brookings Institution released a report today evaluating the initial implementation of marijuana legalization in Colorado and pronouncing it a success. The independent think tank praised the regulatory system in place, saying it addresses “key concerns such as diversion, shirking, communication breakdowns, illegal activity, and the financial challenges facing the marijuana industry” and cited good leadership, strong communication and cultural changes in government, interest groups and the public as having contributed to the favorable outcome.

“Today the Brookings Institution proved what many of us have known for a long time: that legalizing and regulating marijuana and other drugs can be done thoughtfully and responsibly to the benefit of our communities,” said Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. “As legalization spreads across the country, regulatory models will only continue to improve, crime continue to drop, and public understanding of drug addiction as a public health problem, not as a matter for law enforcement, continue to expand.”   

   

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is a group of law enforcement officials who, after fighting in the front lines of the war on drugs, now advocate for its end.

For interviews, please contact Darby Beck at darby.beck@leap.cc (415.823.5496).

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Press Release: Marijuana Legalization Initiative Qualifies for Oregon Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2014

Contact: Darby Beck: darby.beck@leap.cc 415.823.5496

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION INITIATIVE QUALIFIES FOR OREGON BALLOT

Will Oregon and Alaska Become the Third and Fourth States to Legalize and Regulate Marijuana?

SALEM–Election officials revealed Tuesday that New Approach Oregon, a group seeking to regulate and control marijuana, had garnered enough signatures (about 88,500) for the measure to qualify for the November ballot. That initiative, which would wrest control of the marijuana market from the street gangs and cartels that now oversee it and place it in the hands of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, would make marijuana legal to grow, distribute, buy and sell to adults over 21 in limited quantities.

“As a man who spent more than thirty years in law enforcement, I think this measure will be tremendously beneficial to the state of Oregon,” said Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a group of law enforcement officials who support the legalization, regulation and control of marijuana for reasons of public safety. “Lower crime, greater tax revenue, millions poured into local economies–it happened in Colorado, and it can happen here.”

If successful, the initiative will allow adults to possess up to eight ounces of marijuana, and to grow up to four plants for personal use. The state would reap $35 in taxes from each ounce sold, and the revenue would go to schools, law enforcement, mental health programs and drug treatment programs.

A similar initiative qualified for the ballot in Alaska in February.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is a group of law enforcement officials who, after fighting in the front lines of the war on drugs, now advocate for its end.

For interviews, please contact Darby Beck at darby.beck@leap.cc (415.823.5496).

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Press Release: House Votes to Allow Banks to Do Business with State-Legal Marijuana Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 16, 2014

Contact: Darby Beck: darby.beck@leap.cc 415.823.5496

HOUSE VOTES TO ALLOW BANKS TO WORK WITH MARIJUANA BUSINESSES

Bill Amendment Would Remove Treasury Funding for Penalties of State-Legal Businesses

WASHINGTON DC—Today the US House of Representatives voted 231-192 to pass a bipartisan bill amendment introduced by Representatives Denny Heck (D-WA), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) that would prevent the Treasury Department from using federal funds to penalize banks and other financial institutions providing services to state-legal marijuana businesses.

Banking has been a major sticking point for marijuana businesses trying to operate legally, since though the Treasury Department issued banks guidelines on how to properly report transactions with marijuana businesses in February, many financial institutions feared they might be charged with money laundering if they worked with businesses dealing with a substance still illegal under federal law. As a result, many marijuana businesses were forced to conduct transactions in cash, creating huge logistical and public safety issues.    

“Though this isn’t as flashy a win as some other drug policy reforms of recent years, banking regulations have been one of the most significant obstacles to creating a well-run legal marketplace,” said Law Enforcement Against Prohibition’s executive director Major Neill Franklin (Ret.). “This is a huge victory for those who care about the smart regulation and control of marijuana.”

For supporters, the vote was an echo of a similar bill amendment that passed the House in May eliminating funding for DEA raids on state-licensed medical marijuana businesses and patients. That amendment passed 219-189 in another bipartisan vote.

“What we’re seeing is not just that one of the most gridlocked Congresses in history is able to pass marijuana reforms, we’re seeing that both Democrats and Republicans think of these reforms as smart, politically viable options to a failed drug war,” added Franklin.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is a group of law enforcement officials who, after fighting in the front lines of the war on drugs, now advocate for its end.

For interviews, please contact Darby Beck at darby.beck@leap.cc (415.823.5496).

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Press Release: Washington State To Begin Sales of Marijuana Tuesday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 7, 2014

Contact: Darby Beck: darby.beck@leap.cc 415.823.5496

WASHINGTON BEGINS LEGAL SALES OF MARIJUANA TUESDAY

In the wake of glowing reports coming out of Colorado six months after the state began retail sales of marijuana, Washington state’s Liquor Control Board plans to issue up to 20 licenses to retail businesses today, and stores can open as early as Tuesday in theory, though few stores seem likely to be ready by that time, and since growers only received their licenses in March, supply will be limited at first.

“I’m sure the first day will be a disappointment to some consumers,” said Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), 34-year police veteran and executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a group of law enforcement officials opposed to the war on drugs. “But this isn’t meant to be a party. Any delays are reflective of the fact that Washington state is taking the responsibility to regulate and control this new industry seriously.”

“Washingtonians know that, as in Colorado, governments both foreign and domestic will be watching to see how legalization progresses in the state,” said Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper (Ret.), a LEAP speaker and advisory board member. “And I imagine that, as in Colorado, lower crime rates, increased tax revenue, thousands of new jobs and continuing public support will indicate legalizing and regulating marijuana is one of the simplest ways to improve not just our criminal justice system, but our state governments generally.”

Nearly 7,000 businesses applied for the 334 licenses authorized by I-502, the voter initiative which legalized marijuana in the state. Those licenses are strictly controlled and come with a host of regulations, including prohibitions on retailers being within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and other locations likely to be frequented by children. So far, no manufacturer has passed the stringent requirements surrounding marijuana-infused edibles.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is a group of law enforcement officials who, after fighting on the front lines of the war on drugs, now advocate for its end.

For interviews, please contact Darby Beck at darby.beck@leap.cc (415.823.5496).

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