Officials in legal marijuana states slam the Trump Administration's vow to crack down
REUTERS/Alvin Baez
Lawmakers and officials in states that have legalized recreational marijuana are speaking out after White House press secretary Sean Spicer's statement that the Trump Administration may crack down on legalized marijuana.
"I was deeply disappointed to hear the White House Press Secretary's comments today regarding marijuana legalization by states like Washington," Bob Ferguson, Washington state's attorney general said in a statement on Thursday.
"... I will also be very clear with AG Sessions that I will defend the will of Washington voters," Ferguson added.
Spicer said in yesterday's press briefing that there will be "greater enforcement" of federal marijuana laws. Marijuana is illegal at the federal level - it's a Schedule 1 drug - though a number of states have legalized and regulated it for both recreational and medical use, posing a conflict between state and federal laws.
"My office will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the federal government does not undermine Washington's successful, unified system for regulating recreational and medical marijuana," Ferguson added.
Ferguson, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, wrote a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions earlier this month requesting that the DOJ "engage" with Washington and other states that have legalized marijuana before reviewing and changing the federal government's policies.
The DOJ's policy towards state-regulated marijuana is governed by the "Cole Memorandum" - implemented under the Obama Administration - which stipulates that the DOJ place "low priority" on enforcing marijuana laws against businesses and organizations that comply with state laws.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), called on the federal government to "respect the decisions of Oregon voters."
"Instead, the Trump Administration is threatening states' rights, including the rights of one in five Americans who live in a state where marijuana is legal," Wyden said. "I will fight hard against ridiculous federal government intrusions into our state."
Nevada's Senate majority leader, Aaron D. Ford (D), called on Nevada's Republican attorney general to "vigorously defend" the state's recreational marijuana laws from "federal overreach."
REUTERS/Steve Dipaola
"Not only did voters overwhelmingly vote to approve the legalization of recreational marijuana, the Governor's proposed education budget depends on tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales," Ford said. "Any action by the Trump administration would be an insult to Nevada voters and would pick the pockets of Nevada's students."
The Congressional Cannabis Caucus, a bipartisan group advocating for the legalization of marijuana - including Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), and Jared Polis (R-CO) - said that they hope Spicer's comments "do not reflect the views of the President and his Administration."
"We stand ready to educate this administration on the need for more sensible marijuana policies and share the many experiences states have had with the legalization of cannabis."
Other lawmakers, such as John Hickenlooper, the Democratic governor of Colorado have expressed caution about speculating what the Trump Administration "may or may not do," with regards to enforcing federal laws on states that have legalized marijuana.
Letter to AG Sessions: https://t.co/MBEHCTO1IU pic.twitter.com/K8g0MiU2jo
- WA Attorney General (@AGOWA) February 23, 2017
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market