Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire said Thursday she will not sign a controversial medical marijuana law.
Ms. Gregoire says she will not the sign legislation to create licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington state after the Justice Department warned it could result in a federal crackdown.
The governor’s comments follow in the wake of the state’s two U.S. attorneys telling Ms. Gregoire in a letter Thursday that bills passed by the Washington House and Senate would permit large scale growing and distribution of the narcotic, a violation of federal law.
Ms. Gregoire said signing the bill into law would likely open the state to federal prosecution, which could cost the state millions in legal fees.
