Sessions ending federal policy that let legal pot flourish

Associated Press ^ | 4 Jan 2018 | SADIE GURMAN

[Magnatron]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Jeff Sessions has rescinded an Obama-era policy that paved the way for legalized marijuana to flourish in states across the country, creating new confusion about enforcement and use just three days after a new legalization law went into effect in California.

President Donald Trump’s top law enforcement official announced the change Thursday. Instead of the previous lenient-federal-enforcement policy, Sessions’ new stance will instead let federal prosecutors where marijuana is legal decide how aggressively to enforce longstanding federal law prohibiting it.

Sessions’ plan drew immediate strong objection from Republican Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, one of eight states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use.

Gardner said in a tweet that the Justice Department “has trampled on the will of the voters” in Colorado and other states. He said the action would contradict what Sessions had told him before the attorney general was confirmed and that he was prepared “to take all steps necessary” to fight the step including holding up the confirmation of Justice Department nominees.

[Magnatron]

...because we need more people arrested and their lives destroyed over a G-D weed.

Sessions, have you found Hillary under the rock yet???

[Vince Ferrer]

We need a tenth amendment solution for this.

[Red Steel]

There’s been a huge increase in the criminal element in Colorado, and lot more associated problems that come with legalized dope.

[dan on the right]

What are this fool’s priorities!

[mrsmith]

Shame you couldn’t reelect Obama again so the country would be the way you like.

More stupid posts about this non-news than a reasonable person can stomach.

[databoss]

Earth to Jeff, there are some bad people in the DOJ and FBI do that job.

[Magnatron]

From the article:

Sessions, who has assailed marijuana as comparable to heroin...

Um... Okay. How many people have died from pot overdoses Jeff?

A task force Sessions convened to study pot policy made no recommendations for upending the legal industry but instead encouraged Justice Department officials to keep reviewing the Obama administration’s more hands-off approach to marijuana enforcement...

So he doesn't even listen to his own task force. What was the purpose of spending that money, Jeff? I guess he listens to them as much as he listens to Trump's voters who want him to investigate something way more important...

[gibsonguy]

Let’s not worry about sedition or real treason let’s worry about Bob smoking a joint at concerts.

[Mase]

He’s alive?

[Dilbert San Diego]

I wish we could do polls here, such as, do you favor marijuana legalization, yes or no. Then, have comments on that subject.

I get the feeling many here have the libertarian view of marijuana.

[equaviator]

Is it just me or does the medicinal marijuana scene look kinda like classic stonerism?

[Magnatron]

That amendment has turned into a worthless collection of words, hasn’t it? I think it’s the most ignored amendment in the entire Constitution.

[no-s]

We need a tenth amendment solution for this.

Oh irony of ironies, has legalization tripped California into a 10th amendment controversy in the 9th circuit? Oh Please! Oh Please!

Probably they'll just craven out over it, but here's hoping!

[Magnatron]

I get the feeling many here have the libertarian view of marijuana.

Maybe, but I would argue that it's the conservative view. Another poster referenced the 10th Amendment. We seem to have drifted away from it by quite a stretch. I don't smoke the stuff, and have no interest to, but it's time to walk away from this nonsense.

[greatvikingone]

Bravo! This is not our parents’ pot. There is no medicinal value comparable to legitimate medicines currently available.

[SecondAmendment]

This is about enforcing all federal laws on the books equally.

Which is more important, controlling immigration or hitting a bong ?

[Red Steel]

Let's not worry about sedition or real treason let’s worry about Bob smoking a joint at concerts.

The last I heard, the DOJ is turning their attention to Hillary and the Dems criminal. Reopening the investigations of Hillary, Huma mishandling of classified and likely spy dead drop on a computer; Uranium One scam; human trafficking and assorted corruption in the U.S. and worldwide; Obama admin. obstruction of justice that let Hamas run drugs into the country.

[fr_freak]

That amendment has turned into a worthless collection of words, hasn’t it? I think it’s the most ignored amendment in the entire Constitution.

Seems like this issue is a perfect way to get left-wingers suddenly to value states' rights. Now if we could just get the "conservatives" here to do the same...

[Magnatron]

There is no medicinal value comparable to legitimate medicines currently available.

Like opiates...?

[abigkahuna]

I don’t smoke marijuana, nor care too. I did do things as a kid that are better left unsaid. That aside, I do believe thats states should be able to be “dry” or not. I live in California and am not looking forward to the problems that will arise...already our area has cvhanged due to an influx of wastrels coming to the area because of illegal grows.

The mnjor problem I had with the California initiative was the fact it did not have a sunset clause to return it to the voters in say seven years time. I think all such legislation should have such clauses.