If the American people are worried about freshly confirmed Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ approach to enforcing federal marijuana laws, he says they should get Congress to change them.
During his Senate confirmation hearing back in January, Sessions answered questions on marijuana among other issues, but didn’t offer a definitive stance on what marijuana enforcement would look like under his justice department.
“I won’t commit to never enforcing federal law, [Sen. Patrick Leahy], but absolutely it’s a problem of resources for the federal government,” Sessions said. “Good judgement on how to handle these cases will be a responsibility of mine, which won’t be an easy decision, but I will try to do my duty in a fair and just way.”
Sessions also said he echoes the position former attorney general Loretta Lynch took during her confirmation hearings. Lynch said then she did not support the legalization of marijuana and that it would not be the position of her justice department to do so.
Though 28 states have legalized medical marijuana use, eight states have passed recreational laws and 21% of the U.S. population now lives in a state where smoking weed is legal, the federal law still states marijuana is an illegal substance. And the drug is classified as a Schedule I drug along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy.
Sessions, in the past, has made it clear he opposes marijuana legalization. “Good people don’t smoke marijuana,” he’s on record saying. And further back he allegedly said he thought KKK members were OK until he learned they smoked marijuana. He has since called that a joke.
But in a Trump presidency, he’d be asked to forward the Trump agenda and not his own, and a spokesman for President Trump made it clear Sessions would be implementing the Trump agenda, which is promising for the marijuana industry.
Donald Trump has supported state’s rights in legalizing and establishing marijuana policies. Robert Capecchi, director of federal policies at the Marijuana Policy Project, said they are cautiously optimistic the incoming administration will continue current policies and not interfere in state laws.
“We remain cautiously optimistic that the Trump administration will refrain from interfering in state marijuana laws,” Capecchi said in a statement following Sessions’ confirmation. “We are hopeful that Mr. Sessions will follow the president’s lead and respect states’ rights on marijuana policy.
“It would be shocking if the Trump administration attempted to steamroll the citizens and governments in these states to enforce an increasingly unpopular federal policy.”
In the U.S. about 60% of Americans support marijuana legalization, and following the seven states that recently voted to legalize recreation, or medical marijuana, more are looking to take steps toward legalization.
At this point, the possibility of additional states taking the plunge, or federal legalization getting closer is unknown, but unlikely.
Some of the policies put in place by the Justice Department in the last eight years have been valuable, Sessions said during his hearing, but he’s been critical of the Obama administration’s hands-off approach when it comes to federal marijuana laws.
“It’s not so much the attorney general’s job to decide what laws to enforce. We should do our jobs and enforce laws effectively as we’re able,” Sessions said during his hearing. “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.”
#27: Gatlin To: Deckard (#26)
The truth is not of interest to you either….you have shown and proven that for years.
You don’t even know what truth is….you are never exposed to truth in the “fake news” articles you post.
Gatlin posted on 2017-02-14 11:47:16 Reply Private Reply
#28: Gatlin To: Deckard (#25)
What was the change that caused him to be “suddenly fired” from the company he started 40 years ago?
If it wasn’t pot….then maybe male menopause?
Seems to me that you need to do more comprehensive research next time….you may find a better example for your promotion of an illegal drug.
Gatlin posted on 2017-02-14 11:54:44 Reply Private Reply
#29: Deckard To: Gatlin (#27)
What a reprehensibly obnoxious little twat!
Deckard posted on 2017-02-14 12:43:39 Reply Private Reply
#30: Deckard To: Gatlin (#28)
WTF man - can you not read?
He was fired over differences with the company's board.
That happens uncountable times in business, you didn't know that?
Deckard posted on 2017-02-14 12:46:14 Reply Private Reply
#31: Fred Mertz To: Deckard (#30)
But, seeing you quote him, he appears to be a perpetual nuisance so he'll remain there.
Fred Mertz posted on 2017-02-14 12:54:38 Reply Private Reply
#32: Mudboy Slim To: Gatlin, misterwhite, misterpink, misterbrown, misterblack, John GRAY, Willie GREEN, REDleghunter, snow bunny, brown sugar (#19)
Over unsounded gorges, through the rifled hearts of mountains, under torrents' beds, unerringly I rush!"
-- Captain Ahab, aka John "Bonzo" Bonham...
"Moby Dick..ick..ick..ick..."
(Compliments of the Linus 4tunez program.)
Que sera sera...whatever will B, SHALL be...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-14 13:21:24 Reply Private Reply
#33: Mudboy Slim To: Fred Mertz (#31)
HOOS tater?
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-14 13:22:03 Reply Private Reply
#34: Mudboy Slim To: Deckard, Gatlin, GrandIsland, A K A Stone, goldilucky, sneakypete (#29)
Tsk..tsk..tsk...must we ALWAYS resort 2 ad hominems, mis hermanos?...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-14 13:24:49 Reply Private Reply
#35: sneakypete To: GrandIsland (#11)
I think *I* might need a few bong hits after seeing you write something that isn't insane.
I actually agree with you on something. Both Neil Young and Bob Dillon are and always have been horrible singers. They just got away with it because they were such good song writers and musicians.
Hopefully he OD's
And you being you,sanity could only pay a short visit before feeling in terror.
NOBODY OD's on pot,you freaking idiot.
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-14 13:33:15 Reply Private Reply
#36: Hondo68 To: Mudboy Slim, Fred Mertz, tater Gatlin, canary cult (#33)
tater = Gatlin
Originally the handle was tater, then it was changed to Gatlin.
Trying to hide his tracks when he came over from LP, but they point to those handles belonging to long time Obama supporters tater/Gatlin. Anything globalist, anti-American, with a government job, tater/Gatlin supports for the most part, no mater how evil they are.
He's just a gov asskisser from way back.
Maybe Fred remembers the phony excuse for the name change?
Hondo68 posted on 2017-02-14 14:42:30 Reply Private Reply
#37: Fred Mertz To: hondo68 (#36)
Fred Mertz posted on 2017-02-14 14:55:50 Reply Private Reply
#38: Hondo68 To: Fred Mertz, TEA Party Reveler, Murron, Biff Tannen, yukon (#37)
Tater's return, with a new name... Gatlin.
Reverend yukon preaches several sermons, before getting banned. Funny stuff!
Hondo68 posted on 2017-02-14 15:10:19 Reply Private Reply
#39: GrandIsland To: sneakypete (#35)
GrandIsland posted on 2017-02-14 17:42:20 Reply Private Reply
#40: tpaine To: Deckard (#26)
If you really believe that gatlin lives in a 'gated
tpaine posted on 2017-02-14 17:55:08 Reply Private Reply
#41: tpaine To: Deckard, y'all (#26)
If you really believe that gatlin lives in a 'gated community', I'll pay your bus fare up to the old folks home where he's warehoused, --- so you can visit.
One thing is fer shure about gatlin, --- he could never have passed muster to be an officer in our armed forces.
tpaine posted on 2017-02-14 18:12:24 Reply Private Reply
#42: Hondo68 To: tpaine, NORK spudz (#41)
Gatlin, North Korean Air Force?
Hondo68 posted on 2017-02-14 18:17:51 Reply Private Reply
#43: Mudboy Slim To: nolu chan (#9)
(Compliments of the Linux Fortune program.)
The good Lord above has NEVER produced a better mind or a better body than...MUDZ, imho...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-14 18:28:12 Reply Private Reply
#44: Mudboy Slim To: hondo68, Gatlin (#42)
Heh heh heh...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-14 18:38:37 Reply Private Reply
#45: Mudboy Slim To: tpaine, Deckard, Gatlin (#41)
U gonna TAKE dat, Gatlin?!...tpaine's p'OWNin' U, dude...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-14 18:41:17 Reply Private Reply
#46: sneakypete To: GrandIsland, *Humor* (#39)
ROLFMAO! You actually think it's possible to OD on pot!
That one earns a humor ping list ping.
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-14 22:20:12 Reply Private Reply
#47: Mudboy Slim To: hondo68, Gatlin, re3dleghunter (#36)
employees/dolts/lowlife WELFARE wussies aka RATZ/RINOZ aka mindless minionz!!
GIT a reeeal JOB, bitches!!
Nuff sed...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-15 09:39:45 Reply Private Reply
#48: Mudboy Slim To: sneakypete (#46)
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-15 09:40:38 Reply Private Reply
#49: Mudboy Slim To: All (#48)
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-15 09:40:55 Reply Private Reply
#50: Mudboy Slim To: All (#49)
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-15 09:41:25 Reply Private Reply
#51: Mudboy Slim To: sneakypete (#46)
Sheeesh...and what's PayPal?! Never heard of it...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-15 09:45:36 Reply Private Reply
#52: Mudboy Slim To: hondo68 (#36)
-- William Shakespeare, "King John" LongDONG MacGILLuhKUddY!!
(Compliments of the Linux Fortune program.)
Told ya...MUD new IT all a...LOOOooong...ta dahhh!!
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-15 13:16:23 Reply Private Reply
#53: Gatlin To: Fred Mertz (#31)
Boo!
This is the occassion ...
I see you did take me off Bozo.
lol ...
Gatlin posted on 2017-02-15 20:57:20 Reply Private Reply
#54: Hondo68 To: Gatlin, Fred Mertz, Mudboy Slim, sneakypete, buckeroo, tpaine, Deckard (#53)
Fred Mertz was banned, apparently for excessive truth-telling. Some folks can't handle the truth.
Free Fred Mertz!
Hondo68 posted on 2017-02-15 21:07:23 Reply Private Reply
#55: buckeroo To: hondo68, Fred Mertz (#54)
buckeroo posted on 2017-02-15 22:10:16 Reply Private Reply
#56: sneakypete To: hondo68 (#54)
Free Fred Mertz!
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-15 22:59:34 Reply Private Reply
#57: Hondo68 To: buckeroo (#55)
The usual suspect posted his current homo-erotic fantasy about Gary's johnson, and Fred responded.
Fred's going on a 5 day trip and NOT taking his laptop. Like Star Trek he's going where noone have gone before!
May the force be with him.
Hondo68 posted on 2017-02-15 23:18:04 Reply Private Reply
#58: Mudboy Slim To: A K A STONE, d hondo68, Ethyl Mertz is perPETuaLEE buttHURT...WAAAaaahhh...aka STONE ROX...MUD33 (#54)
(Compliments of the Linus' 4**TUNEZ program.)
FRed Mertz is allegedLEE bi-SE$Xual, BI-modal, bi-CYCLICall, BI-polar, etc...
U a TRANNY, 2, FRed...just TWIXT U.S. old FReeper buddies.
BETcha LeadPenny'LL KNOW WATTS fer...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-16 15:37:04 Reply Private Reply
#59: Fred Mertz To: hondo68, sneakypete (#57)
Fred Mertz posted on 2017-02-19 23:46:31 Reply Private Reply
#60: sneakypete To: hondo68 (#57)
Thanks,AKA edited the posts so no one can see what happened.
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-20 08:46:58 Reply Private Reply
#61: sneakypete To: Mudboy Slim (#58)
You are getting weird,even by what we laughingly call "internet standards".
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-20 08:49:19 Reply Private Reply
#62: sneakypete To: Fred Mertz (#59)
Same old,same old.
Welcome back!
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-20 08:50:08 Reply Private Reply
#63: Mudboy Slim To: sneakypete (#61)
A: Throw him a rock."
(Compliments of the Linux Fortune program.)
2 paraphrase Wm. Shakespeare..."First, IGNORE all the lawyers!!"
Quite SincereLEE...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-21 09:40:56 Reply Private Reply
#64: Mudboy Slim To: Fred Mertz, StinkyPete, Ethyl Mertz, Menage ehhh Trois??, yuck, DirtyFRank?, (#59)
"Black XXII"
And Stinky...TAKE a BATH...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-22 09:46:12 Reply Private Reply
#65: Fred Mertz To: Mudboy Slim (#64)
I'm sure FireIsland can give you the hotline 800 number.
Fred Mertz posted on 2017-02-22 09:49:42 Reply Private Reply
#66: Mudboy Slim To: hondo68, Ethyl Mertz, StankyPete (#57)
BTW...however, StinkyPete said Ethyl got HERself a strap-ON called "TheForce",
so I reckon "TheForce" has been REPEATedLEE "in" FRed by NOW...weirdos, ALL!!!
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-22 09:53:35 Reply Private Reply
#67: Mudboy Slim To: Fred Mertz, StinkyPete (#65)
She was a brainDEAD ObamaBOT/$hillaryBOT, just like U2...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-22 09:57:39 Reply Private Reply
#68: Mudboy Slim To: Fred, Pete (#67)
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-22 09:58:28 Reply Private Reply
#69: Fred Mertz To: Mudboy Slim (#67)
Fred Mertz posted on 2017-02-22 10:00:55 Reply Private Reply
#70: Mudboy Slim To: Fred Mertz, StankyPETE (#69)
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-22 10:22:01 Reply Private Reply
#71: Hondo68 To: Mudboy Slim, trip to yukon world, Fred Mertz (#66)
Too much info, save it for the GOP convention!
Hondo68 posted on 2017-02-22 11:33:53 Reply Private Reply
#72: Mudboy Slim To: hondo68, redleghunter, sneakypete (#71)
"I literALLlee jist threw UP in my MOUTH"...MUD
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-22 15:15:03 Reply Private Reply
#73: redleghunter To: Mudboy Slim (#72)
redleghunter posted on 2017-02-22 17:28:32 Reply Private Reply
#74: sneakypete To: Fred Mertz (#65)
I'm guessing they have his number blocked.
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-22 19:32:54 Reply Private Reply
#75: sneakypete To: Mudboy Slim (#70)
sneakypete posted on 2017-02-22 19:35:18 Reply Private Reply
#76: Mudboy Slim To: sneakypete, Ethyl Mertz, Willie Green, war, meguro, A K A Stone (#75)
"U go, [Blind]Squirrel!!"
NOW...off 2 the showers 4 U and Ethyl and Willie Green and war and meguro...MUD
BTW...YO!! STONE'd...2 many dudes in O.N.E. shower OFFENSE...time out 4 someBUTTbuddies.
Mudboy Slim posted on 2017-02-23 09:57:07 Reply Private Reply