In summary
In yet another worrying sign for California marijuana advocates, a newly uncovered letter reveals that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has asked Congressional leaders for the freedom to prosecute medical marijuana activities.
In yet another worrying sign for California marijuana advocates, a newly uncovered letter reveals that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has asked Congressional leaders for the freedom to prosecute medical marijuana activities.
Citing a “historic drug epidemic” and a “potentially long-term uptick in violent crime”, Sessions urged Congress in May to eliminate the Rohrabacher-Bluemenaeur amendment, which prohibits the Department of Justice from interfering with state-sanctioned medical cannabis activities. The amendment is considered a key protection for states like California with long-running medical marijuana systems.
Congress voted on bipartisan lines to re-authorize the provision, but the amendment must again be re-approved in October. According to New York Magazine, the letter was aimed at the October vote.
Published for the first time Monday by Massrootts.com, the document is the clearest articulation so far of the Trump administration’s opposition to medical marijuana. On the campaign trail, President Trump signaled support for medical use, but expressed concern about full legalization.
Despite the uncertainty over possible federal intervention, California is proceeding full steam ahead with its own legal marijuana regime. Gov. Brown and state lawmakers introduced a plan Monday to allow medical and recreational pot to be sold out of the same retail storefront.