Nevada Should Be Challenging Federal Pot Law Constitutionality
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Save money by Three days off City Councilman selling off can turn into Stavros Anthony quits federal public land a four-day overload congressional race PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 Volume 19, Issue 46 January 17-23, 2018 lasvegastribune.com Nevada should be challenging federal pot law constitutionality A week ago the Trump adminis- istration’s stance allowed states to to slow or even halt the implemen- tration rescinded a series of Obama flout federal law. tation of the law, and has further administration memos instructing Nevada Attorney General Adam assisted with the formulation and federal prosecutors to back off en- Laxalt sent out an email saying his adoption of regulations to allow forcing federal marijuana laws in office is reviewing the change in dispensaries to commence sales of states that have legalized it, sending the Justice Department’s stance on recreational marijuana within just legal pot businesses into a dither, federal pot law enforcement and six months of the law’s enactment. including those in Nevada. evaluating the ramifications for My office has expeditiously facil- Attorney General Jeff Sessions the state. itated the implementation of the said he would leave it up to federal “Although I opposed the Ques- law in the face of considerable un- prosecutors to decide what to do tion 2 ballot initiative proposing the certainty about the status of federal when state law clashes with fed- legalization of recreational marijua- enforcement activity.” eral drug law. Justice Department na in Nevada, I also pledged to de- We suggest that the state’s at- officials said the previous admin- fend the measure were it approved torney do what attorneys do: Sue. by the voters,” Laxalt stated. “Since The states aren’t flouting federal Questions 2’s enactment, my office law, Congress is flouting the Con- My Point has vigorously defended it against stitution. If it took a constitutional of View two related lawsuits that threatened (See Fed Pot Law, Page 3) By Rolando Larraz I was called a racist by City Court battle brewing over Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian during a city council meeting on October 4 of last year because I am probably one of the only ones in work rules for Medicaid this community who does not bend By Rachel Roubein work requirements, top Medicaid and bow to her feet; I am maybe and Peter Sullivan official Seema Verma said the ad- the only resident of Las Vegas who The Hill ministration has “broad authority” has never been impressed with the A battle is brewing in the courts under current law to allow states name Tarkanian and I don’t know over the Trump administration’s to make changes through waivers. how to write it strongly enough, move to let states impose work On Friday, the administration emphasizing the word NEVER. requirements for recipients of Med- quickly gave Kentucky the green Councilwoman Tarkanian broke icaid, the health insurance program light to implement work require- the unwritten rules of the city of Las for the poor. ments for some beneficiaries, the Vegas regarding not arguing with Advocacy groups are gearing up first time such an approval has dummies like me, who are willing to sue the administration, arguing been given. to accept the charity of three min- that it doesn’t have the power to Shortly after, the National Health utes to speak to a board that most allow work requirements and other Law Program (NHeLP) issued a likely doesn’t even hear what the rules for Medicaid without action press release stating, “litigation person at the mic has to say. from Congress. is expected because the approval That day on October 4 Coun- But the administration is defend- violates federal law.” cilman Tarkanian make me look ing the legality of the shift. When While NHeLP is “still review- even more like a dummy because unveiling guidance Thursday on the (See Work for Medicaid, Page 5) when she saw me approaching the podium, she also changed the rules just for me and gave me only one minute to speak. Five hurdles to a big DACA, border deal I know I cannot blame anyone By Jordain Carney nounced in September that it is else but myself; I should have The Hill ending the Deferred Action for turned around and walked out with A bipartisan immigration fix Childhood Arrivals (DACA) pro- a smile on my face, or maybe I is facing an increasingly uphill gram. should have told her to use that one fight in Congress after President The decision sparked a race of minute to dial a vote for her son, Trump rejected a Senate proposal legislative jockeying on Capitol Danny, who has tried to be elected and sparked a political firestorm Hill, but there are no signs of an to anything in this community since by referring to several developing agreement that could win over he supposedly became an adult. nations as “shithole countries.” House Republicans and Trump I could also have sued her and Both sides are digging in on their without alienating Senate Demo- the city for defamation because she positions in the fallout, raising fresh crats. is a city official who accused me questions about what — if any — Trump rejected one bipartisan in an open meeting of something deal could make it to Trump’s desk proposal from a handful of senators, I am not, but I am not that kind of before early March. a blueprint that also drew pushback litigious person and believe that I The Trump administration an- (See DACA Deal, Page 4) have more character than that. I am writing this today despite the fact that I have said that Coun- What are the chances that Bundy cilwoman Tarkanian is not worth my time or my words because what I am going to propose here this mistrial ruling could be reversed? week might be the best solution there is for people who have come By Thomas Mitchell advantage or harm the defendants. to this country without papers. As we noted two weeks ago, it is Rather, it litigated these issues in I could mention the names of rather curious that the judge in the good faith, arguing the materials many Mexican friends that I think Bunkerville standoff case declared were neither helpful nor material I have, and can cherish the memory a mistrial because the prosecution and provided reasoned explanations of others that I still remember in failed to timely turn over evidence for its decisions.” my prayers but I am not going to that she previously had deemed The prosecution further argued patronize their names by defending inadmissible. in that unsealed document, which what I have to say because I do Today the Las Vegas newspaper was reported by The Orgeonian two believe that a solution is what we picked up on the fact the prosecu- weeks ago: all need at this moment. tion made this very argument in The government has extensive- People that came here without “recently unsealed court papers ly briefed the issue of evidence papers or that came here with opposing the dismissal,” though relevant to a claim of self-defense papers, but those papers expired a the unsealing was two weeks ago. and/or third-party state of mind long time ago and have to go back The paper quoted that document as (beliefs). … The gravamen of these to their country of origin need a saying, “The government did not motions was seeking the Court’s solution. withhold material to gain a tactical Bundy case protesters (See Bundy Mistrial, Page 5) They all can go back together or...they can go back on their own and leave their children behind What is “loitering” and why is it illegal? because they should not be guilty By Rolando Larraz out directly, but they could threaten cannot be interrupted). Justice Center; loitering is usually or responsible for their adult par- Las Vegas Tribune to bring … Loitering is a new style of living seen on Las Vegas Boulevard and ents’ misconduct; that way the Loitering as a crime is usually That has always been the law in that has taken Las Vegas by surprise Owens Street, other major streets, children can go visit their parents punished when someone’s im- the United States but many people and it is acceptable to those who and in front of businesses that have on holidays, birthdays, wedding peding a business. If my ten loud that reside in our city don’t realize want to gain votes in the next elec- no political connections. anniversaries and even bring their friends and I want to hang out on that Las Vegas, Nevada is a country tion, but loitering is not regularly Las Vegas is a city...and a county newborn to the grandparents so they the sidewalk in front of a pizza by itself and the law only applies seen on or near Las Vegas Metro- that is known for “juice” — no re- can meet each other. place and argue, the pizza place when it is convenient to elected politan Police Headquarters, City flection whatsoever on the famous I have another very dear friend will lose business. They don’t own officials and police officers (if they Hall or the county building; very former football star O.J. Simpson, (See My Point of View, Page 2) the sidewalk, so they can’t kick us are not on a “donut break” that few are seen in front of the Regional (See Loitering, Page 3) Page 2 / LAS VEGAS TRIBUNE / January 17-23, 2018 Save money by selling off federal public land By Thomas Mitchell First, the productivity of federal Here is an idea from 1982 whose grazing lands would increase.