Inslee: 'Federal gov't needs to stand aside and let us move forward'
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SEATTLE -- Jay Inslee has been the governor-elect for only five days, but he's ready for a showdown with the feds on the state's new marijuana law.
Wednesday, he announced some members of his transition team, and he intends to hit the ground running when he takes office.
On the subject of marijuana, he says almost defiantly, "the voters of Washington have spoken."
"This is not a decision that will jeopardize national security, it is not a decision that will jeopardize national interstate commerce," Inslee said. "It is a local neighborhood decision made in our neighborhoods. We've made it, so now we need the federal government to stand aside and let us move forward."
And if they don't?
"Well, hopefully that's not going to happen. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said.
I asked him about our Problem Solvers investigation that pointed out structural issues with the pontoons on the new 520 bridge. Inslee says he's paying attention.
"What I know largely, frankly, is what you've reported on, and I've been following that in the press reports," Inslee said. "In January, when I take the reins, I'll make sure we have a very systemic review to make sure they have long-term structural integrity."
In the next four years, there will be tough decisions, and certainly times of doubt. But right now, Inslee thinks Washington needs a dose of positivity, and he's already delivering that.
"I want to hew to the Washington spirit, which is unrelenting optimism, unrelenting innovation, and a thirst to entrepreneurship. That's who we are in this state," he said. "These are the kind of times sometimes where you can actually rock 'n roll and cause change. And I want to be a change agent."
Inslee says he's already called up 2/3 of the state legislature -- both Democrats and Republicans -- and asked them for input, ideas, and recommendations for his staff.
And his message to the 49 percent of Washington voters who didn't vote for him? He says he'll be looking for their ideas and, sometimes, even their criticisms.
Wednesday, he announced some members of his transition team, and he intends to hit the ground running when he takes office.
On the subject of marijuana, he says almost defiantly, "the voters of Washington have spoken."
"This is not a decision that will jeopardize national security, it is not a decision that will jeopardize national interstate commerce," Inslee said. "It is a local neighborhood decision made in our neighborhoods. We've made it, so now we need the federal government to stand aside and let us move forward."
And if they don't?
"Well, hopefully that's not going to happen. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he said.
I asked him about our Problem Solvers investigation that pointed out structural issues with the pontoons on the new 520 bridge. Inslee says he's paying attention.
"What I know largely, frankly, is what you've reported on, and I've been following that in the press reports," Inslee said. "In January, when I take the reins, I'll make sure we have a very systemic review to make sure they have long-term structural integrity."
In the next four years, there will be tough decisions, and certainly times of doubt. But right now, Inslee thinks Washington needs a dose of positivity, and he's already delivering that.
"I want to hew to the Washington spirit, which is unrelenting optimism, unrelenting innovation, and a thirst to entrepreneurship. That's who we are in this state," he said. "These are the kind of times sometimes where you can actually rock 'n roll and cause change. And I want to be a change agent."
Inslee says he's already called up 2/3 of the state legislature -- both Democrats and Republicans -- and asked them for input, ideas, and recommendations for his staff.
And his message to the 49 percent of Washington voters who didn't vote for him? He says he'll be looking for their ideas and, sometimes, even their criticisms.
"let us move forward", or backward?
Inslee: 'Federal gov't needs to stand aside and let us move forward' Two words come to mind. Those two words are 'won't happen'. Â
 @theobserver But it NEEDS to happen - and I'm not referencing the Pot issue - that's just a good test for States' Rights!!!!
The "D" behind Inslee's name got him elected but it actually stands for "Dim-Wit".Â
What's that newly elected progressive extremist Inslee? Can we hold him to it? The feds need to bug out of all of Washington State? Sure, dude. You just add up how many federal subsidies, agencies, programs, the military, etc that Inslee depends upon for his state's progressive government.
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Ah, Inslee - then you jiust wait, sir - for the next natural disaster to hit Washington state - and Barack Obama won't need to come to your rescue or any Washington State residents rescue either - because Inslee wants to his state to be left alone.
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IS THIS GUY FOR REAL?
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 @englishdaisy You sound more like the extremist.  This article is about pot and the measure that was voted on by the majority.  It has nothing to do with other federal programs.
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Do you not support states rights?
The mouse that roared comes to mind, Governor. You go tell 'em, I'm sure they'll listen to you! LOL
You Go Inslee !
"...We've made it, so now we need the federal government to stand aside and let us move forward."
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He will only say that on this issue. Notice that he didn't mention 0bamaCare that has nothing to do with "...national security, it is not a decision that will jeopardize national interstate commerce,"
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He really is nothing more than another slimeball politician that will change his stripes depending on the situation. In other words he has no moral integrity. That is a prerequisite to be a politician.
 @RalphCramden Did they have a vote on Obama Care?  I thought it was only about pot, and that is what this article is about.
 @RalphCramden Maybe you aught to make a n appointment and discuss it with him..on a peace full note... If you need directions to get there I can assist in that, after all I been there to the state capitol more then once.. If you are un willing to take the time speak to him then it is your loss.
@lee986321 @RalphCramden That may be expensive, politrixters dont listen enless there's stacks of cash involved.
 @lee986321Â
He's a politician and therefore will not listen unless I have a poll. Then of course he will listen.
 @RalphCramden  @lee986321 >'He's a politician and therefore will not listen unless I have a poll.'
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...or skads of 'free speech' in order to 'gain access to' him coming into an election year.Â
Man,  Inslee, you must be high!
Every "States Rights" Tea Bagger should be 100% behind this citizen initiative. Except they're not because they have no intellectual integrity; a thing that presumes two things: intelligence and integrity.
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The evidence is in and the "War on Drugs" is a colossal failure that costs tax payers and drains vital public resources away from meaningful objectives and distracts political will from important social issues. Again, intellectual integrity mandates that Conservatives who demand a smaller government must support this citizens initiative for smaller government; otherwise, its just another etcha-sketch flip-flop and obstructionist political pandering.
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The only organizations that profit from the never-ending and failed "war on drugs" and specifically the war on weed are the police unions and private corporations including drug rehab (court mandated diversion) and private prisons because of the conveyor belt of low-threat passive individuals who are caught in pursuit of their own kind of happiness and jammed up by these punitive and unreasonable laws grown from the seeds of racism to full bloom in the rich soil of misinformation and propaganda.
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When the Federal Government works to overthrow the will of the people on a states rights issue it is wrong. And, it distracts from the real essential issues upon which the Federal Government should focus all of its energy: preserving the Union, maintaining a healthy economy, and defending the Nation from foreign enemies.
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 @Icarus >'The only organizations that profit from the never-ending and failed "war on drugs" and specifically the war on weed are the police unions and private corporations including drug rehab (court mandated diversion) and private prisons'
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Specific to MJ, the argument could be made that pharmacutical companies would also stand to lose a large chunk of revenue should MJ be made legal. As a naturally occurring plant, it cannot be copyrighted/patented.Â
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Of course, GMO's of MJ could come to exist, and those could be. But, for the GMO's to overtake the naturally occurring plant would take decades. That would be serious hardship for Monsanto investors. Soy beans and corn are grown out in nature. A little GMO cross-breeding 'naturally' occurring makes the 'copyright infringement' lawsuits inevitable. Then, once a private company effectively 'owns' the crop, it's theirs to do with what they will. MJ is largely grown indoors, or in covert grow operations. Much more difficult to 'accidentially' cross pollinate.Â
 @Icarus hmm, Need to add Domestic enemies as well...other wise I do agree.
'We've made it, so now we need the federal government to stand aside and let us move forward."
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Bwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaah, ha, haaaaaaa..... Yeah, THAT'S going to happen.Â
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Believe me, I don't disagree with your position, Gov elect Inslee. The reality is that the Federal govt (specifically the DEA and DOJ) have not shown themselves to be particularly interested in states sovereignty when weighed against US Code in this specific issue. Regardless if the DOJ seeks to block or overturn the law, you can bet that the DEA will come knocking on any dispensaries doors, and lock up a few end level users just to promote fear of their supreme authority.Â
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Insofar as the Federal Govt, and legal avenues... They'll probably end up doing something similar to the tying of federal highway funds to the mandate of states putting the legal drinking age @ 21. Since WA is as dependent upon federal funding as any state, all they'll have to do is close the purse strings, and you'll either bend to their will or wreak havoc on your welfare programs.Â
 @MarkKpicÂ
They'll probably end up doing something similar to the tying of federal highway funds to the mandate of states putting the legal drinking age @ 21."
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Yep, I'm sure that they're looking into that; but, that policy would simply be a killer for the Tax Revenue generated by the state. The State has decriminalized possession so that policy would simply give another advantage to the users producers without generating any revenue for the state other than the "peace dividend" of not clogging the courts and jails and destroying lives of smokers....which, in itself, is a great benefit.
 @Icarus I agree with your point, but I seriously doubt that any revenues generated by taxation of MJ could even come close to the money that the state receives for various HHS & Medicare programs. Either one of which could be 'logically' (read:legally) tied to MJ use.Â
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The legal argument would go something like this.... 'the use of this federally classified tier 1 narcotic has not been shown to have any medical benefits. In addition, use of this tier 1 narcotic can lead to severe medical conditions that would increase cost and need for medicare & HHS programs. As such, the federal government refuses to continue funding such programs until the state of WA returns to DEA/US Code registration of the narcotic.'
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Then, given the 'efficency' with which such cases wind themselves through the courts, WA state is basically in the position of choosing whether to 'fall in line' or lose billions in federal money for 5 years or so.Â
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It's the basic 'carrot or a stick' approach to federal law enforcement.Â
 @sargerator I guess I should have been more clear... The FDA position that there is no medicinal benefits to MJ.Â
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Ironic position, since there are currently no fewer than 9 different medications that are either directly produced from, or synthetic forms of, MJ.Â
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But, again, once big pharma (read:money) gets involved, all bets are off. If the shareholders in Eli-Miller or Pfizer catch wind of Capitol Hill even considering removing MJ from Sched 1, they'd swarm it with lobbyists. All carrying breifcases full of 'free speech' in order to 'gain access to' representatives before the law was passed.Â
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Bear in mind the way our Congress is set up, they don't have to 'defeat' a bill to kill it. Just stall it long enough for it to not get voted on this session.Â
"'the use of this federally classified tier 1 narcotic has not been shown to have any medical benefits."
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Kinda hard to state that when they've said, "marijuana has medical benefits", in fact the us government MAILS out prescription "joints" from it's own federally sponsored university of 'ol miiss "grow" operations in mississippi !
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywe2RN8FkMw
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The government has even taken out a patent on pot !
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http://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/medical-use-of-cannabis-video/the-government-holds-a-patent-for-medical-marijuana/
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If there are no more Twinkies whats the point?
 @Pointblank LOL
There are times I miss the thumbs down option....
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The justice dept. will do what it does best.......sue the state.
GO Inslee. !!!
What a dope head!
 @BlessedLife Thoughtful response, care to elaborate?
This guy is already messing Washington up/