WASHINGTON,D.C. (Press Release) — Representatives Jared Polis of Colorado, Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, and Suzan DelBene of Washington have issued the following statements on the Bureau of Reclamation’s newly released policy on water usage in states where marijuana is legally regulated:
“Today’s backward-looking decision by the Bureau of Reclamation will hinder the growth and success of Colorado and Washington’s legal marijuana industry,” said Polis. “This policy places the Bureau of Reclamation at odds with the administration’s current guidance to not interfere with the marijuana and hemp industries made lawful by voters in those states. The Bureau of Reclamation is challenging the commonly-held understanding in the arid west that water rights are state-based, an extremely delicate proposition for citizens dependent on water for their livelihood. I call on the Bureau of Reclamation to abstain from permitting short-sighted water policies that are an affront to voters who have chosen to responsibly regulate marijuana. The Bureau should join the other federal government agencies in respecting state voter’s decisions and simply acknowledge that Bureau of Reclamation does not have a responsibility or designated role in actively seeking enforcement of the CSA.”
“This situation is the predictable result of our confusing and contradictory federal marijuana policy,” said Blumenauer. “Today’s decision again brings federal, state, and local law into conflict in a way that creates uncertainty among residents of states that have approved the use of marijuana. The Administration needs to give clear marching orders to the various agencies and for them to get in step to avoid problems like this in the future, as we let state voters exercise their will.”
“Washington state’s voters overwhelmingly approved I-502 in 2012, and our state, along with other states that have decided to legalize marijuana, should be allowed to implement these state laws without interference from the federal government,” said DelBene. “Today’s disappointing decision by the Bureau of Reclamation highlights the current conflict and confusion between state and federal marijuana laws and again calls attention to the need for the federal government to make clear that it will not penalize farmers, businesses, and individuals whose actions are fully legal and consistent with state law.”