U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, a Boulder Democrat, wants “rogue” federal agents to lay off medical- marijuana dispensaries after a raid at the home of Highlands Ranch grower Feb. 12.
On Tuesday, Polis sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking him to instruct agents to abide by the Justice Department’s Oct. 19 directive to defer to state laws on legalized medical-marijuana use — or to clarify the new position. Polis posted his letter Wednesday afternoon on the progressive political website Square State.
In a preamble, he referred to “rogue agents . . . harassing and raiding our medical-marijuana dispensaries.” Reached by phone in Washington, Polis also invoked the White House.
“I think President Obama has clearly stated his position on respecting states that have voted to allow medical marijuana,” he said. “I believe the words and action of the agent in charge is in contradiction to the will of the voters of Colorado.”
In the letter, he noted a Denver Post story Feb. 13 that quoted Drug Enforcement Administration agent Jeffrey Sweetin as saying: “We’re still going to continue to investigate and arrest people. . . . Technically, every dispensary in the state is in blatant violation of federal law.”
The grower, Chris Bartkowicz, is free on $10,000 bond. DEA agents seized 224 marijuana plants. He did not return a call for comment. Justice Department and DEA representatives were not immediately available for comment. Joey Bunch, The Denver Post
