United States Attorney General Jeff “Marijuana Consumers Aren’t Good People” Sessions has issued a formal memorandum calling on members of the Justice Department’s Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety to “undertake a review of existing policies,” including federal enforcement policies with regard to cannabis.
The memo was sent on April 5 to 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Department of Justice component heads.
The Attorney General has requested a report back from task force members by no later than July 27th. You can read the full memo here.
The release of this memorandum provides us with a general time frame during which to expect any formal announcements from the new administration with regard to addressing marijuana policy — specifically whether the Justice Department will respect state legalization laws.
In the interim, members of Congress can remove all of the bite from Jeff Sessions’ bark by approving the bipartisan Respect State Marijuana Laws Act, which prevents the federal government from criminally prosecuting individuals and/or businesses who are engaging in state-sanctioned activities specific to the possession, use, production, and distribution of marijuana.
Speaking recently before Congress, Attorney General Sessions said that his job is to enforce federal law. Let’s change federal law to ensure that our reform victories remain in place, and so that we can build upon these victories in the future.
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPPORT OF RESPECTING STATE MARIJUANA LAWS.
But while the Justice Department contemplates its next move, state politicians are taking action. In recent days, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker (I) issued a letter to the new U.S. Attorney General and to Secretary of Treasury Mnuchin calling on them to uphold the Obama Administration’s largely ‘hands off’ policies toward marijuana legalization, as outlined in the Cole Memo.
“Overhauling the Cole Memo is sure to produce unintended and harmful consequences,” the governors wrote. “Changes that hurt the regulated market would divert existing marijuana product into the black market and increase dangerous activity in both our states and our neighboring states.”
Political and social change rarely comes from the top on down, it comes from the bottom up. That is why it is imperative for you to not only contact your federal officials in support of changing policy, but also to continue to push for change at the local and state level.
Click HERE to view pending federal and state legislation and easily contact your elected officials in support of them.
Click HERE to find a local NORML chapter in your area and get involved. NORML Kansas City this week successfully placed marijuana decriminalization on their municipal ballot and saw it pass with 71% support. This is the kind of positive change a group of committed volunteer citizens can bring to their communities.
A people united will never be defeated and together we WILL end marijuana prohibition nationwide.
We need the courage of our elected officials to undo the travesty known as the War on Drugs that has been unleashed on the American people. It is time to end a policy whose very foundation is based on lies, fear, intimidation, and deceit not scientific credibility. How many more lives will be destroyed for the Crime of Feeling Good? The Crimes Against Humanity that have been unleashed on the American people are no closer to achieving their goals than when this Draconian policy became the law nearly 80 some years ago. It is time for our elected officials to step up and put an end to this American nightmare.
The only solution is for sensible legislation that ends criminal penalties for the personal or medical use of cannabis where no crimes are committed. Legalize, Regulate, Tax it just like Alcohol and allow citizens the right to make their own decisions in regards too consumption.
I agree, except I don’t think the consequences of American drug policy were unintended. The chaos and devastation were fully desired by the likes of Nixon…Well maybe he thought those problems would be isolated in black and brown communities
Indeed: how about legalize marijuana worldwide:
http://www.marijuana.com/blog/news/2017/04/new-study-mexican-children-fighting-refractory-epilepsy-with-cbd/
How ironic that Mexico is importing marijuana from Colorado for their case studies on epilepsy. The Government farm in Mississipi and cartel brick weed have become obsolete as the quality state legal supply from Colorado and soon California floods the market…
…unless of course youre Dr Sue Sisley who has been fighting to clear the legal hurdles to provide FDA approved cannabis to veterans with PTSD:
http://www.marijuana.com/blog/news/2017/04/mississippis-marijuana-director-defends-cannabis-research-program/
Sisley has to use the governments “medical” marijuana to comply with Federal law even though it fails a lead test, a mold and a yeast test.
Perhaps Sessions is kicking the can to US attorneys in July to see if the Rorhabacher-Farr amendment gets renewed this month: or for FDA approval of synthetic marijuana to pay Congress? …or maybe its because he admits keeping the Cole memo is the only option the DOJ can afford regardless?
Either way, this Disadministration needs to get their message straight.
Take the recent blunder by the TSA for example:
http://www.marijuana.com/blog/news/2017/04/tsa-speaks-on-this-mornings-medical-marijuana-confusion/
They posted it was legal to carry weed on carry-on yesterday then abruptly took it off, said “NO” to marijuana on carry-on or checked-in luggage, then told Duke London at Marijuana.com that they “have no regulations on marijuana.” (Right… Which is why you have marijuana regulations written on the TSA website? …)
For the Love of all that is GREEN and HOLY! Call and write Congress to DO their JOB, stop this insanity and pass the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act!
The 2nd-Annual National Cannabis Festival
April 22, 2017 ? Washington, DC
Get involved in shaping the future of cannabis culture across the United States.
http://nationalcannabisfestival.com/
Sessions is clearly no friend to anyone who believes in freedom. I’m wondering if we have a new enemy to be concerned about.
An article in the Washington Post: “Senate Republicans go ‘nuclear,’ pave the way for Gorsuch confirmation to Supreme Court”
I wonder if Gorsuch would side with Big Pharma and Private Prisons (among others) in keeping cannabis illegal and maintaining vastly inappropriate punishments for citizens.
Unfortunately Miles, Gorsuch whore-sucks when it comes to Big Pharma, which we can fairly assertain was involved in the $10million in dark money that stole his seat from what was once a fair Senate Process. Its all the same billionaire players like the Kochs and Mercers… but Big Pharma or even Private Prisons arent even the main reason these billionaire Batman villains forced Gorsuch in or why they oppose marijuana legalization. The main reason is voter supression. Marijuana prohibition has taken more Democratically voting constituents out of the voting process either disproportionate incarceration of minorities or preying upon Democratically voting communities with the police state and never ending felony probation.
People dont vote? Bad billionaires get to pass bad laws by putting bad Congressman in power.
Look at what kind of ads the GOP is pouring on Democratic Candidate for GA Representative Jon Ossoff, (who is poised to take former prohibitionist Tom Price’s seat who is now our Sec. of Health & Human Services)… comparing him to Osama Bin Laden? Seriously?
Sincethe CSAct of 1970 the only form of voter supression that rivals marijuana prohibition is gerrymandering and the GOP Crosscheck Program.
http://www.thebestdemocracymoneycanbuy.com
I say states that have legalized should pass laws that will make federal interference with their state marijuana laws illegal. Then when the feds roll in to mess with our bud shops, the local 5.0 can arrest them. Wouldn’t that be something to see?
I think this is going to be a money / property grab by the Federal gov’t. Shameful as ever!
Rise up….
We Need Freedom, The US Government has been growing Cannabis since 1968 and there are 4 Federal Patients getting cannabis from the University of Mississippi. This Plant needs to BE LEGAL FOR ALL. That is Freedom .
Take out the cruel joke in the Control Substance Act of 1970. That is all it takes and there is no other real reason why it was there in the first place than to get back on those pesky smart-ass college hippies who doesn’t like Nixon’s policy on keeping the war going in Viet Nam.
While your first point about Nixon may be true, the fact is he both ran on the promise of, and followed through on, ending the Vietnam War.
This is what you’re going to do, Sessions:
You tossed the hot potato to a commission. Just make sure the report recommends overtly that cannabis be legalized. If you disagree with legalization, you WILL respect their decision to legalize and implement legalization. No buts. It doesn’t matter if the Respect Marijuana Laws Act passes before the report, after the report. You better orchestrate it by giving them hints that’s the direction you want it to go. They all need to hear from the cannabis community, keeping up that drum beat. They can’t arrest their way out of legalization. Canada’s legalizing. Legalization will solve a lot of problems, save money and bring in revenue to public coffers.
Sessions, make sure legalization happens. This is an uphill battle and the snowball keeps getting bigger. You’re rolling a snowball uphill, and everyone knows that rolling a snowball makes it get bigger and heavier and harder to push.
Opposing legalization is peeling off members of the cannabis community who voted for Trump. Even Roger Stone was on Bill Maher testing the waters, putting that out there for the public to see if it’s a lightening rod.
He got a guy now.He is going to step the DEA before anybody comes up with anything on July.I think every body better get ready. DEa is going to steal the money and the MJ. Sessions and his buddy wants mass incarcerations. They are also going to bring back 3 strike laws. See? Trump is a liar.He promised jobs but thats because us US tax payers are going to pay.
@ Oracle,
I think Roger Stone and every politico knows that supporting marijuana legalization is not a lightning rod. Stone was on Bill Maher because he’s kissing liberal @$$ in fear of being targeted for Congressional investigations involving Russian interference in the election.
Sessions, cannabis is not going away. Legalize.
Check out how long it’s been useful.
https://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/historic-hemp-towns-europe/
Farther back:
http://hightimes.com/culture/high-history-cannabis-in-the-ancient-world/
Thank God the Govenors of the free states are standing up and being our voice. A special Thank You to my Govenor Hickinlooper for having our back, and you can bet we will have yours next time you run.
Oops…Governor and Governors.
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Article IV
Section 1.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Section 2.
The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.
Baby boomers are aging and we are a large group of people with many medical issues.Taking away our meds because of a crisis is ashame.To not offer medical marijuana to supplement the loss of prescription RXs with a far safer choice that a person should have a right to consume is a humanitarian shame.The pain and suffering of people not allowed to have access to medical marijuana should be the crime of our modern day medical history.Policy makers should be required to read all the studies showing the benefits of medical marijuana.Get educated then pass federal laws in favor of statewide legalization of medical marijuana.
When Jeffey Sessions said good people don’t smoke marijuana, he passed judgement on countless millions of people that he considers himself to be better than.
What kind of person would do that? It is insane that this guy considers himself to be a christian. I mean, didn’t Jesus say we shouldn’t judge others?
No, but Jesus inhaled enough bales of cannabis in communal fires during his time with the Scythians that would leave Sessions with both feet in his mouth.
Sessions likes giving money to the cartels. They need to deal with the dangerous drugs that is killing stupid people. Leave marijuana alone. If they don’t the street dealers are back in business. Real smart. Marijuana is just so easy for law enforcement to catch because of the smell. DEA doesn’t have the balls to go after the real problem. They will how ever have the money. Money from the BORDER busts and when they steal the $$ from the cannibas shops. GET readt!
Read up!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shafer_Commission
external view; canada will/is legalising..
cannabis cbd’s [fresh marijuana] demonstrated
effective medicine,, various real disorders
including – epilepsy – ie, not in question,
yet cannabis schedule 1;’no currently accepted
medical use. . .’ thus this scheduling
underlying all cannabis questions, is wrong..
states have legalised personal and/or medical..
literally billions and thousands of new jobs
with all positive spinoffs; no turning back..
the old half blind dog will still bark
when he thinks the vet is a burglar..
the vet remains a real vet, regardless..
its not just usa citizens vs old dogs
canada and others are now in the team..
cannabis must be rescheduled..
everything flows from there..
dont look back,
land of the free…
An interesting article and related article link I found today on Sessions.
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a54401/jeff-sessions-war-on-drugs/
Every marijuana advocate needs to become a single issue voter. We need to let the anti-marijuana people realize that, since they don’t realize that marijuana is here to stay, they can realize that they won’t be here for long.
No one is truly a single issue voter. There are single-minded voters, but that’s another thing (hence, lets vote in a traitor-in-chief and let Citizens United replace our Democratic Republic with Despotism as long as we can steal a Supreme Court seat and make women stop having abortions and raise the children from their rapists… thanks Evangelicals).
What we most certainly can do as marijuana activists is use our ability to vote for any party down the ballot, which is surprising how many people dont realize they can do that. In Texas, you could choose to fill a single party line vote. One bubble and your done. Talk about “single issue!”
A better option is we put our smart phones on silent, get in the voting booth and RESEARCH the names we dont recognize to vote for the best marijuana policy. Prohibitionists are always going to crap out a watered down version of someone’s well crafted, good marijuana policy. Research is the remedy.
The closest I came to “single issue” voting was googling my candidate’s names in with “marijuana policy” down the entire ballot. Took me 20 minutes to vote but boy was it satisfying! (Especially when a mugshot pops up for possession… THATS who Im voting for!)
I agree with voting out of office the Prohibitionist.Their minds are already made up.My letters to my state lawmakers to implement medical marijuana laws in my state are getting responses that are the most narrow minded opinions that I ever heard.The studies and reports that are out now showing the benefits of medical marijuana are real.They need to adjust or get out of office.Their time in office is running out.People need to be activist and persist.
When the American electorate embraced Trump, they embraced his policies which include a 1980’s style drug war. American politicians are addicted to and crave the drug war and the American people are it’s enablers. If Trump wins another term, any possible cannabis reform will wait until 2024. America, you had cannabis reform coming your way and then you threw it all away on tyranny. No sympathy from me. Keep digging your hole, America!
Where are you paying your taxes? Russia? I know youre not from Canada; theyre too polite. And people from Uruguay dont frequent this blog.
How bout instead of pointing a broad finger at “America” for a gerrymandered, Crosschecked stolen election under an archaic electorate with voter supression from prohibition you click on the Act button and participate in our resistance and become part of the solution?
Jeff Sessions should know that scripture says there are none good and that only God is good. Even Jesus denied being good when addressed as good master. So,thank you Jeff for letting everyone know they qualify to smoke budd, including yourself.