Senator Cory Gardner Upholds Vow to Jam the Gears of Justice over Cannabis

In 1915, the artist Bela Lyon Pratt completed a bronze statue of the American patriot Nathan Hale, who had uttered the bold last words "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" before being executed by the British in 1776.

One example of the statue now stands at the south facade of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington DC. The Attorney General of the United States likely passes this sculpture on his way to work each day; his office is inside.

Making a stand in the name of America and its ideals is a heroic tradition upon which the republic is built. This is where we find Senator Cory Gardner (D-CO) today - not risking his life but certainly putting his career on the line for an ideal.

One might say Senator Gardner is keeping his pledge to block all Department of Justice nominees from reaching confirmation because of his belief in states' rights.

The right he's fighting for on behalf of Colorado voters is that Coloradans can determine whether cannabis should be legal in their state (they have, and it is) and that therefore the federal government should respect these voters (and those of 28 other states and the District of Columbia) by aligning federal laws in allowing commerce, taxation, banking, law enforcement, and other normal business operations without threat of prosecution.

A month ago, the Attorney General rescinded the Cole Memo, setting in motion a furious series of speeches, bills, and activities that the many hope will end with the repeal of cannabis prohibition once and for all.

At the sharp end of the spear stands Senator Gardner, where he is standing firm in his vow to jam all appointments to the Department of Justice until Attorney General Jeff Sessions softens his stance on cannabis.

Hats off to you, sir.

Image source: Wikipedia