United States: Trump promises to respect states' right to legalize cannabis

Colorado Senator Cory Gardner announced Last week, he said that President Trump had promised him that the federal government would not interfere with the cannabis industry in states where it is legal. Trump reportedly went so far as to promise to support legislation that would protect the states’ right to have their own cannabis laws.

During his campaign, Donald Trump had stated that he supported the idea of states being able to pass their own laws on cannabis. Upon taking office in the Oval Office, however, he Jeff Sessions, appointed to the Department of Justice, a staunch opponent of cannabis legalization. Sessions was quickly ran into the Cole Memo which had, until now, protected the cannabis industry.

«Last Wednesday, I received a commitment from the president that the cancellation of the Cole Memo »by the Department of Justice will not affect the legal cannabis industry in Colorado. Furthermore, President Trump has assured me that he will support a legislative solution based on federalism that will resolve this issue of states’ rights once and for all." said Gardner.

This statement did not fall on deaf ears. California Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, known for his amendment to the federal budget that prevents the Department of Justice from spending federal funds to pursue legal actions related to medical cannabis, announced this week that he would introduce a bill that would prevent the government from enforcing the Controlled Substances Acts in states where cannabis is legal. The new Cannabis States’ Rights Act would thus make the federal government's scope of action permanent.

«I am extremely pleased that President Trump has made it clear that he will keep his campaign promise to respect state laws regarding cannabis,» Mr. Rohrabacher said in his statement. «Now there should be no doubt in Attorney General Sessions» mind as to the President’s intentions.”

Traditionally, the issue of cannabis has divided Republicans—who tend to oppose it—and Democrats—who tend to support it. Over the past decade, various reforms to cannabis laws have blurred this divide, and Republicans are increasingly supporting the legalization of cannabis, mirroring the views of the American public.