Trump says he is likely to support ending federal ban on marijuana

The Los Angeles Times ^ | June 8th, 2018 | By Evan Halper

[Mariner]

President Trump said he likely will support a congressional effort to end the federal ban on marijuana, a major step that would reshape the pot industry and end the threat of a Justice Department crackdown.

Trump’s remarks put him sharply at odds with Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions on the issue. The bill in question, pushed by a bipartisan coalition, would allow states to go forward with legalization unencumbered by threats of federal prosecution.

Trump made his comments to a gaggle of reporters Friday morning just before he boarded a helicopter on his way to the G-7 summit in Canada. His remarks came the day after the bipartisan group of lawmakers proposed their measure.

One of the lead sponsors is Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), who is aligned with Trump on several issues but recently has tangled with the administration over the Justice Department’s threatened crackdowns on marijuana.

“I support Sen. Gardner,” Trump said when asked about the bill. “I know exactly what he’s doing. We’re looking at it. But I probably will end up supporting that, yes.”

[Mariner]

The end of Prohibition is imminent.

[heights]

What will Jeffery the Innocent do now?

[2ndDivisionVet]

If he puts the Millennials and other pot smokers in his pocket the election is over. He’s already gaining with blacks, Hispanics, some gays and Asians.

[robroys woman]

The end of Prohibition is imminent.

---

I went through the same change of heart on this as Ben Shapiro. Dope is stupid, but the federal government should simply butt out. It’s not in their mission statement (constitution).

[KC_Lion]

For your interest.

[AC86UT89]

“put him at odds with Jeff Sessions”

I swear, every “news” article I ever read contain some swipe, some negative about Trump. If the law is changed, Sessions will simply enforce the new law. Not hard to understand!

[Wizdum]

Changing marijuana from a Tier 1 drug to anything lower would open a lot of the medicinal benefits legally across the country.

[Artemis Webb]

I hope it happens. This country has bigger fish to fry.

[NobleFree]

“I support Sen. Gardner,” Trump said when asked about the bill. “I know exactly what he’s doing. We’re looking at it. But I probably will end up supporting that, yes.”

More winning!

Trump said he is likely to support the federal legalization effort despite a warning against it from the coalition of narcotics officer groups.

“We urge you to see through the smoke screen and reject attempts to encourage more drug use in America,” they wrote in a letter to Trump Thursday.

Of course they did - the War on Pot is make-work for narcotics officers.

[pgkdan]

Agreed.

[marron]

This is step that, once taken, there is no way back.

[NobleFree]

Dope is stupid, but the federal government should simply butt out. It’s not in their mission statement (constitution).

Distressing how many self-proclaimed "conservatives" refuse to get this.

[robroys woman]

Kind of like when we ended most of prohibition the first time.

[Mariner]

“Of course they did - the War on Pot is make-work for narcotics officers. “

It also gives them lots of new military equipment by which to keep the populace in line.

[goldstategop]

I support marijuana legalization.

Its already legal to smoke pot here in CO.

The federal ban no longer makes sense.

Good to see my state’s GOP senator Cory Gardiner pushing to remove it.

[Antoninus]

Bad move, Mr. President.

Legalizing Marijuana is a Terrible Idea

Lessons from history are instructive. Free drug states get consumed by their enemies no matter how powerful they once were:

A Disgraceful Little War ~ The Opium War and Commissioner Lin

[Drango]

Dave’s not here.

[ProudGOP]

Not only that, but all federal drug laws are unconstitutional unless the drugs cross state lines. Interstate commerce is the only clause that gives the federal government jurisdiction to create and enforce drug laws according to the 10th amendment

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Politically it is a Win-Win.

[NobleFree]

This is step that, once taken, there is no way back.

From a procedural standpoint, you're wrong - legislatures repeal laws all the time.

From a procedural standpoint, the step has already been taken ... 8 states have already legalized recreational marijuana.