U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice announced Thursday that it would be rescinding the Cole Memo, which advised federal prosecutors to not focus federal resources on individuals that were clearly operating within a state's laws. Simply put, the memo stated that the feds shouldn't mess with states that have legalized marijuana.
Sessions' announcement is a major step back for the cannabis industry, especially considering California's legal recreational market just went live on Jan. 1. Lawmakers from across the country took to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the news.
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
One wonders if Trump was consulted—it is Jeff Sessions after all—because this would violate his campaign promise not to interfere with state marijuana laws. It’s time for ANYONE who cares about this issue to mobilize and push back strongly against this decision. https://t.co/S0neITlP5q
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) January 4, 2018
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ):
Sessions' determination to revive the failed War on Drugs is fiscally wasteful, morally bankrupt, unjust—and won't make us safer. This backwards policy is wrong for America, and on the wrong side of history. https://t.co/KgoEtz3MrK
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 4, 2018
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO)
I am prepared to take all steps necessary, including holding DOJ nominees, until the Attorney General lives up to the commitment he made to me prior to his confirmation.
— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) January 4, 2018
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK):
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 4, 2018
Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV):
I will fight for businesses that are legally operating in states, contributing to tax bases, & creating jobs. We don't need a crackdown. We need to protect states' rights, respect the voice of voters, and pass laws to prevent this from happening again. https://t.co/0XBLrgf0iM
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 4, 2018
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D-FL)
This is an absurd policy decision not based on science. Jeff Sessions has made his goal crystal clear: put more young people & people of color behind bars for using a plant. https://t.co/wDqP7CMmva
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) January 4, 2018
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
My full statement on AG Sessions' announcement today: pic.twitter.com/6YaHskHxIF
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 4, 2018
Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA)
AG Jeff Sessions apparently wants to take America back to the 1920s. Prohibition didn't work then and it will not work now. Congress needs to pass sensible laws to prevent a monumental waste of precious federal resources chasing Americans who use #cannabis. #thursdaythoughts https://t.co/GP3qPyKIve
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 4, 2018
Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D)
Make no mistake: As we have told the Department of Justice ever since I-502 was passed in 2012, we will vigorously defend our state’s laws against undue federal infringement. https://t.co/R3jJrncN9X pic.twitter.com/uM48hVH26q
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) January 4, 2018
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
RT if you think it's time Congress takes up my bill H.R. 1227, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act to remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances. https://t.co/SbJjFcz05n
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) January 4, 2018
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (D-CO)
Denver residents voted overwhelmingly for this and we’ve become an international model for how to do it right. Another example that this admin doesn’t listen, doesn’t pay attention, doesn’t get it. https://t.co/YbCgRktvVt @cannabist @CoryGardner @SenBennetCO @RepDianaDeGette
— Michael B. Hancock (@MayorHancock) January 4, 2018
Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand (D-NY)
DOJ should investigate how pharma helped create the opioid crisis, not institute policies that take marijuana based medicines from patients and needlessly target non-violent minority youths.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 4, 2018
Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D)
Reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will roll back federal marijuana policy are deeply concerning & disruptive to Oregon's economy. Oregon voters were clear when they chose to legalize the sale of marijuana & the fed govt shouldn't stand in the way https://t.co/3ax9EvdGGE
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) January 4, 2018
Top image: R.Babakin | Adobe Stock
