[philman_36]

“The U.S. Congress made the possession of marijuana in every state — and the distribution — an illegal act. If that’s something that’s not desired any longer, Congress should pass a law to change the rule.”

Ooooooohh...how cagey...and deceptive!

No law needs to be written to change the rule. All that needs to be done is have the schedule changed.

21 U.S. Code § 811 - Authority and criteria for classification of substances

(a) Rules and regulations of Attorney General; hearing
The Attorney General shall apply the provisions of this subchapter to the controlled substances listed in the schedules established by section 812 of this title and to any other drug or other substance added to such schedules under this subchapter. Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), the Attorney General may by rule—
(1) add to such a schedule or transfer between such schedules any drug or other substance if he— (A) finds that such drug or other substance has a potential for abuse, and
(B) makes with respect to such drug or other substance the findings prescribed by subsection (b) of section 812 of this title for the schedule in which such drug is to be placed; or
(2) remove any drug or other substance from the schedules if he finds that the drug or other substance does not meet the requirements for inclusion in any schedule. Rules of the Attorney General under this subsection shall be made on the record after opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the rulemaking procedures prescribed by subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5. Proceedings for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of such rules may be initiated by the Attorney General (1) on his own motion, (2) at the request of the Secretary, or (3) on the petition of any interested party.

Well look at that!

Attorney General Jeff Sessions can do it all by himself! So why the deception?

[philman_36]

Judging from the replies on this thread so far...ignorance abounds!

Is Sessions counting on that ignorance?

[TaxPayer2000]

I don’t see it as deception at all. He may have no intention of changing the schedule himself, therefore the only other recourse would be for Congress to pass a law to change the rule.

[x]

Attorney General Jeff Sessions can do it all by himself! So why the deception?

Taking marijuana off the list would legalize it nationally. Sessions doesn't want to do that.

Congress could act to allow states legally to opt out (which many have already done -- in defiance of federal law).

Presumably that wouldn't have the effect of legalizing pot in other states. That's my guess, anyway.