Spicer: Federal marijuana laws will be enforced, despite state legalization votes
Eight states and Washington, D.C., legalized the selling and use of recreational marijuana during the Obama era, despite conflicting federal law. The Trump administration has hinted that the climate of permissiveness could be coming to an end.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked Thursday (Feb. 23) how the Justice Department would treat states that have legalized medical marijuana . Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made it known he opposes legalizing marijuana and in confirmation hearings said he would enforce federal laws on pot unless Congress changed them.
Spicer's said that President Trump supports the medicinal use of marijuana, noting that Congress stipulated in 2014 that Justice funding would not be used to enforce the law in that area. Louisiana is one of 28 states that have made medical marijuana legal.
"There is a big difference between that and recreational marijuana," Spicer said. "And I think that when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing that we should be doing is encouraging people. There is still a federal law that we need to abide by ... when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature."
Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, placing it alongside heroin, MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD.
"I do believe that you'll see greater enforcement of it," Spicer said in answering a follow-up question.
Spicer's statements are contrary to those from Trump, the candidate, who said he supported states' rights to set their own pot policy.
Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, issued a statement after Thursday's press briefing, saying it "would be a mistake for the Department of Justice to overthrow the will of the voters and state governments who have created carefully regulated adult-use marijuana programs.
"It would represent a rejection of the values of economic growth, limited government, and respect for federalism that Republicans claim to embrace," Smith said.
Eight states and Washington, D.C., legalized the selling and use of recreational marijuana during the Obama era, despite conflicting federal law. The Trump administration has hinted that the climate of permissiveness could be coming to an end.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked Thursday (Feb. 23) how the Justice Department would treat states that have legalized medical marijuana . Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made it known he opposes legalizing marijuana and in confirmation hearings said he would enforce federal laws on pot unless Congress changed them.
Spicer's said that President Trump supports the medicinal use of marijuana, noting that Congress stipulated in 2014 that Justice funding would not be used to enforce the law in that area. Louisiana is one of 28 states that have made medical marijuana legal.
"There is a big difference between that and recreational marijuana," Spicer said. "And I think that when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing that we should be doing is encouraging people. There is still a federal law that we need to abide by ... when it comes to recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature."
Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, placing it alongside heroin, MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD.
"I do believe that you'll see greater enforcement of it," Spicer said in answering a follow-up question.
Spicer's statements are contrary to those from Trump, the candidate, who said he supported states' rights to set their own pot policy.
Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, issued a statement after Thursday's press briefing, saying it "would be a mistake for the Department of Justice to overthrow the will of the voters and state governments who have created carefully regulated adult-use marijuana programs.
"It would represent a rejection of the values of economic growth, limited government, and respect for federalism that Republicans claim to embrace," Smith said.
