WASHINGTON — The U.S. Government Accountability Office says the Justice Department needs to better document how it s tracking the effect of marijuana legalization in the states.
investigators noted that the DOJ said in 2013 it would allow states to regulate marijuana for medical or recreational use, that include keeping pot away from children and keeping criminal organizations out of the industry.
But, the GAO said, the government isn t documenting how it is making sure states meet those priorities. The report recommends that the Justice Department start doing so, which will put it in better position to identify states that aren t meeting federal pot enforcement priorities.
The DOJ said it agrees with the recommendations.
Four states — Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska — and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational pot use.
