Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., has introduced legislation that would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.
He said the proposal would turn the decision whether pot use and possession is legal over to the states.
“States that have voted to legalize marijuana for medical and/or recreational use should not fear federal agents raiding their businesses and intimidating their citizens,” Horsford said.
He said the bill doesn’t force states to legalize pot but would simply direct the Attorney General to remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances and put it under the federal Alcohol Administration Act.
That would allow the treasury secretary to regulate the import, shipping and sales of pot in interstate or foreign commerce.
He said that also protects states’ rights by letting them regulate marijuana at the local level.
He said the bill “recognizes that millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted fighting a failed drug war on marijuana.”
