Washington, DC: The federal government is not standing in the way of states that decide to legalize and regulate marijuana, President Donald Trump stated on Friday in comments first reported by MarijuanaMoment.net.
In response to a reporter’s question regarding whether or not the administration will support a change in federal marijuana policy, President Trump said: "It’s a very big subject and right now we are allowing states to make that decision. A lot of states are making that decision, but we’re allowing states to make that decision."
During his Presidential campaign, Trump similarly said that he believed issues surrounding cannabis legalization ought to be decided "state by state." However, the administration’s first Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, rescinded an Obama-administration memorandum which directed the Justice Department not to interfere in state-sanctioned marijuana-related activities.
"The reiteration of a non-enforcement policy from the President is a clear sign that states should continue to act in defiance of federal marijuana prohibition," NORML Political Director Justin Strekal said. "Congress should swiftly move pending legislation forward to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and provide the legal relief needed to those individuals and businesses who are struggling under our nations cruel policy of criminalization."
For more information, contact Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.