So, let me get this straight, not enough federal involvement in states rights, over a 10 year old, voter approved amendment, thats clearly Obama's fault?Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis, if elected, would ask President Barack Obama to re-examine lenient federal policies on Colorados burgeoning medical marijuana industry.
The Obama administration in 2009 ordered federal officials to respect state marijuana statutes when they conflict with federal laws outlawing the drug. The change led to explosive growth in Colorado marijuana businesses, which McInnis said Thursday is cause for concern.
If I was governor I would call the president and say, What are you doing? McInnis said after a Colorado Springs event Thursday.
McInnis was in town to pick up endorsements from the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association, District Attorney Dan May and El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa.
McInnis, a former police officer, has burnished his crime fighting image in recent weeks as he battles through a GOP primary with Denver businessman Dan Maes.
McInnis has proposed immigration policies for Colorado similar to those enacted this year in Arizona, where police are now authorized by state law to check the immigration status of suspected undocumented immigrants. Now McInnis is wading into some of the states most contentious waters medical marijuana.
Colorado voters approved marijuana as medical treatment a decade ago by passing Amendment 20. The state General Assembly moved this year to regulate the widespread distribution of the drug with rules modeled on those imposed for liquor stores.
That has troubled many Republicans, including local state lawmakers, who contend that the amendment doesnt provide for legal marijuana stores.
McInnis said he supports a piece of the new legislation that allows cities and counties to ban marijuana businesses.
In Colorado Springs, where the number of marijuana businesses went from a handful in early 2009 to more than 100 now, a group is pushing a petition drive to get a ban on the ballot.
The reason it all started is because of Obama, McInnis said of the rising number of marijuana businesses.
Denver mayor John Hickenlooper, the sole Democrat in the governors race, said the new state regulations could alleviate concerns over marijuana businesses.
John supports the will of Colorado voters to give medicine to sick people and hes hopeful that recent legislation will empower communities to address the common concerns around dispensaries, said Hickenlooper spokesman George Merritt.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/mcinnis-100432-obama-hopeful.html