Ex-DEA chief urges AG to speak out on marijuana

My Fox Spokane Biz
Ex-DEA chief urges AG to speak out on marijuana

WASHINGTON (AP) - Officials in the law enforcement community opposed to legalizing marijuana are urging Attorney General Eric Holder to speak out before election day against three state ballot initiatives that would do just that.

In response, Justice Department spokeswoman Allison Price says the department is not going to speculate on the outcome of the various ballot initiatives in each of the states - Colorado, Washington and Oregon.

Peter Bensinger, a former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, told reporters that it is important for the public to know the dangers of legalizing marijuana and for the Justice Department to address the issue now.

Among the participants at the press conference were former directors of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Federal law prohibits production, possession and sale of marijuana.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most Popular Stories

WATCH LIVE: Clay Starbuck Trial Happening Now; Accused Of Murdering His Ex Wife

WATCH LIVE: Clay Starbuck Trial Happening Now; Accused Of Murdering His Ex Wife
SPOKANE, Wash. – The trial of Clay Starbuck, charged with killing his ex-wife Chanin and sexually violating her remains, entered its third week Monday at the Spokane County Courthouse. Chanin Starbuck was found strangled to death in her Deer Park home in December of 2011, and Clay

Spokane Valley Police Dept: Three Separate Robberies

Spokane Valley Police Dept: Three Separate Robberies
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE VALLEY POLICE DEPT: Spokane Valley Sheriff's Office Detective Jack Rosenthal is investigating three separate robberies that have taken place within a short time frame in Spokane Valley. On May 13th, 16th and 21st three separate businesses in Spokane Valley

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner
By TAMARA LUSH and BARBARA RODRIGUEZAssociated Press ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) - It could be an anxious wait of up to two months for people in a small Florida city to find out who won the highest Powerball jackpot in history: an estimated $590.5 million. The lucky ticket was bought sometime Saturday