Trump administration to crackdown on legal marijuana?
The Donald Trump administration in the US has taken the first step to reverse the Obama-era policy that allowed states to legalize marijuana. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will soon repeal a 2013 memo which instructed federal agencies to de-prioritize marijuana-related crimes. California had recently become the sixth state to allow sale of cannabis for recreational purposes. What does this mean? Read on.
What has happened so far?
The Obama administration in 2013 announced the 'Cole Memo' named after the then Deputy Attorney General Cole. The memo clarified that the Federal Government wouldn't stand in the way of states that wish to "regulate using, selling, buying, and growing the drug," although it remains illegal at the federal level. This had allowed the American marijuana market to bloom into a multi-billion dollar industry.
Which states have legalized marijuana?
Colorado, California, Alaska, Nevada and Washington have legalized recreational marijuana. While 29 states including Alabama and Mississippi have allowed marijuana for medical purposes under limited access conditions, states such as Virginia had already enacted laws allowing for possession under medical prescription decades ago.
How has America reacted to this?
Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California slammed Jeff Sessions and stated that the repeal of the Cole Memo "defies fact and logic" and that it "threatens the promise of a stable regulatory framework." In a tweet, Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representative Minority leader, termed the repeal "shameful and insulting to the democratic processes that legalized marijuana in different states."
What does this mean?
The Trump administration's move is likely to render state laws legalizing recreational use of marijuana null and void, pending judicial challenges. The administration is also likely to meet with protests from pot smokers who highlight the many benefits of using marijuana. The decision may impact the booming marijuana retail markets in states such as California.
