Posted on 02/16/2014 6:00:08 AM PST by Libloather
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) says the Treasury Department is overstepping its bounds with a memo outlining how banks can provide services for businesses selling marijuana.
Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said it’s illegal for banks to deal with marijuana sale proceeds, and that only Congress can change those laws.
“The administration can’t change the law with a memo,” he said in a statement released late on Friday. “While the Justice Department’s memo tries to guide prosecutorial discretion, that discretion shouldn’t be used to facilitate illegal conduct.”
Grassley said the Justice Department was encouraging an “improper use of prosecutorial discretion,” and tied it to the more general GOP criticism that the administration is seeking to do too much with executive authority.
“This is just one more area in which the Obama administration is undermining our system of checks and balances and the rule of law,” he said.
Marijuana is officially a Schedule 1 substance in the eyes of the federal government, but medical pot is legal in 20 states and the District of Columbia. In Colorado and Washington, it is legal to buy, sell and use marijuana for recreational purposes.
The Obama administration has taken a hands-off approach to those state laws, and pledged not to interfere. Last summer, the Justice Department issued a memo advising prosecutors to prioritize keeping childen safe and other goals, instead of cracking down on low-level drug busts.
Still, banks have been reluctant to get involved with marijuana dispensaries and other businesses. They have expressed concern that serving those companies could open them up to federal prosecution for money laundering.
On Friday, the Treasury Department issued guidelines allowing banks to do business with companies that sell marijuana, so long as they make sure that the businesses have the proper state licenses.
Under the guidelines, banks are also told to watch out for suspicious behavior such as a business owners’ inability to show the correct paperwork or “cash that smells like marijuana” from someone trying to hide their weed business.
President Obama has admitted that he personally smoked pot as a kid and said in a recent interview that the drug was akin to smoking cigarettes.
Another doddering example of why there should be term limits.
First order of business after the new republican congress is sworn in, impeach the bastard.
Ya know—sometimes I read chit like this, and all I can do is sit around shaking my head.
I grieve for my children and grandchildren—not so much about the grass issue—but just for the decline of these once great United States.
We had a good run……..
The Tyrant not only changes LAW but destroyed
contracts, the Constitution, AND MADE
the LAW apply where he wants, when he wants, to whom
he wants (e.g. white people and non-Moslems).
He cannot make it legal with a speech. Wherever we can, we need to enforce the laws - perhaps this is a way to go after his illegal edicts on health care. What if the insurance companies were told that a new administration plans to hold them accountable if they do not act in accordance with the written law? Could this make a difference? I would hope so.
Not only did the “lyin’ king” tell us the truth about energy prices “necessarily skyrocket”ing, he told us he has a pen and a phone and ain’t afraid to use them. Glad someone shook Chuck to wake him up. Uh, about 5 years too late. Of course anyone who opposes what the “lyin’ king” does, has done or will do is simply a racis’ and they hate him and his plans to “help” all Americans just because he’s half-rican American. Uh, no. Because there are still a few living brain cells out here who hate the idea of socialism/communism. Maybe just me thinkin’ like that but probably not.
I agree...”so what?” Until someone in authority takes on these criminals, it doesn’t matter (other than to continue the decline of America).
Better late than never.
BTW, I read today that the banks have no intention of doing this, since there is no way that his telling them to ignore the law makes it definitively legal, and at some future date, they might be held accountable.
On the other hand, maybe that’s the purpose of his doing this. Lead the banks into some illegal action so that only he and the Dems have the power to protect them, and then watch the campaign contributions come rolling in.
they haven’t figured it out yet
0bama and crew look at laws like cards to be played when and how you want.
it’s not that he is creating NEW law... it’s that he’s instructing those who are tasked with enforcing the law WHICH law to enforce.
the cute little law that says you’ll be persecuted if you accept drug money? ignored.
see? no new law created. just existing laws ignored. same effect. as a bonus, they can also keep banks, or people, in line by threatening them by enforcing those laws.
personally, I’m at a loss why those in the executive branch are not in prison, or at least out of their jobs, for not enforcing the law
No, that would be mean and rayciss... and republicans should focus on the economy and putting people back to work and ....Bush blah blah blah...
luv a comment coming from a senator name GRASS-ley
As long as he has a phone a pen and a spineless House of Representatives he can do pretty much anything he wants to do.
Just another IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE to add to the list.
Add to that, all the federal law enforcement personnel who are enforcing illegal actions. baraq and/or holder issue a decree and it is enforced. There are thousands of people who are complicit with enforcing the presidents wishes with no regard for Congress.
IF we ever get our country back there need to be a wide and deep purge of government types.
What I find interesting about this is how quickly dear leader is looking to carve out an exemption for his bankster pals so they can cash in on drug sales. Truly though it’s probably a solution looking for a problem. With the rise of crypto currencies, I doubt the drug dealers are sitting outside their local Chase branch begging them to take piles of cash off their hands.
...don’t forget a complicit judiciary.
Wah wah wah. DO something about it.
Who would have standing? The people hurt by 0bama not executing the law as written, insurance company losses, individuals who lost their insurances, even potentially death from the actions of this rogue President.
High crimes and misdemeanors against the American people?
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