USA Green light cannabis legalization

Green light for legalization in the US and worldwide

08/30/2013

Commenting yesterday on the Obama administration's official "okay" on legalization in the US states of Colorado and Washington, Georg Wurth, managing director of the German Hemp Association, said: "With this historic move, the administration of President Obama has finally paved the way for the legalization of cannabis. This decision is not only a clear signal for the two US states, where cannabis was legalized for consumption, but also signals to the international community that the time has come for another drug policy: reforming states worldwide that are covering the existing black market for cannabis wanting to replace it with a regulated adult market, must now no longer expect resistance from the mighty US. "

Our colleague Ethan Nadelmann, managing director of the Drug Policy Alliance, described the US government's move as a historic breakthrough. He had expected a "yellow light" from the White House, the decision now made greener than he had hoped. He summed up the message to Washington and Colorado with the words "Proceed with caution." together.

Background: The US federal government has officially allowed its states to legalize cannabis. Attorney General Eric Holder told Colorado and Washington that they can implement the referendum-sanctioned legalization, including the creation of a legitimate cannabis market. The Ministry of Justice memorandum states that states will be expected to introduce effective regulation that protects public safety and health. The federal authorities would limit themselves to prosecuting offenses such as the sale of minors, cross-border smuggling and combating illegal activities of cartels and gangs, as well as trade in other drugs. In four months, the first legal sale of cannabis will be in Colorado - legally under state law and officially tolerated by the US government. The sale in Washington State will follow shortly thereafter. Similarly, federal intervention in the 20 states where cannabis is legal as a medicine may now come to an end. (Pm)

Image: Petra Bork