The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“REINTRODUCING THE SMART ENFORCEMENT ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H6524 on July 28, 2017.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REINTRODUCING THE SMART ENFORCEMENT ACT
(Ms. DelBENE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, 26 States and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of marijuana, including my home State of Washington. Yet marijuana possession or use for any purpose is still prohibited under Federal law, leaving my constituents, including cancer patients, at risk of prosecution.
That is why today I am reintroducing the State Marijuana and Regulatory Tolerance Enforcement Act, the SMART Enforcement Act. My bill will fix the conflict between State and Federal law by giving States a waiver from the Controlled Substances Act.
It also resolves the banking issues currently forcing dispensaries to operate in an unsafe all-cash basis.
These waivers will ensure people in States that have different laws from the Federal Government on marijuana are protected from prosecution, provided they meet certain requirements, because people in these States should not live in fear of unpredictable actions from the Attorney General and the Department of Justice on this issue.
____________________
