Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Justice Department Announces It's No Longer Taking Hands-Off Approach To Legalized Marijuana
The New York Times: Trump Administration Takes Step That Could Threaten Marijuana Legalization Movement
The viability of the multibillion-dollar marijuana legalization movement was thrown into new doubt on Thursday when the Trump administration freed prosecutors to more aggressively enforce federal laws against the drug in states that have decriminalized its production and sale, most recently California. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, long a vocal opponent of the legalization of marijuana, rescinded an Obama-era policy that discouraged federal prosecutors in most cases from bringing charges wherever the drug is legal under state laws. (Savage and Healy, 1/4)
The Associated Press: Federal Pot Policy Change Sparks Confusion, Crackdown Fears
Officials wouldn't say if federal prosecutors would target pot shops and legal growers, nor would they speculate on whether pot prosecutions would increase. The action by Attorney General Jeff Sessions was not unexpected given his longtime opposition to pot, but comes at a heady time for the industry as retail pot sales rolled out New Year's Day in California. (1/5)
The Associated Press: Q&A: What Does Sessions’ Policy Mean For The Future Of Weed?
A federal law blocks the Justice Department from interfering with medical marijuana programs in states where it is allowed. Justice Department officials said they would follow the law, but would not preclude the possibility of medical-marijuana related prosecutions. (Gurman, 1/4)
The New York Times: California Defiant In Face Of Federal Move To Get Tough On Marijuana
The sale of recreational cannabis became legal in California on New Year’s Day. Four days later, the Trump administration acted in effect to undermine that state law by allowing federal prosecutors to be more aggressive in prosecuting marijuana cases. A memo by Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday was widely interpreted in the nation’s most populous state as the latest example of Trump vs. California, a multifront battle of issues ranging from immigration to taxes to the environment. (Fuller, 1/4)
Sacramento Bee: California Moves To Protect Legal Cannabis From Sessions
California signaled its intent Thursday to defend the state’s voter-approved law legalizing recreational marijuana, hours after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo clearing the way for a federal crackdown on weed. Two state leaders – Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Bureau of Cannabis Control Chief Executive Lori Ajax – issued statements saying they’ll defend Proposition 64, the 2016 initiative that led to the opening of the state’s first retail cannabis stores this week. (Hart and Irby, 1/4)
California Healthline: Cloud Of Uncertainty Over Legalized Pot As Feds End Obama-Era Accommodation
California’s Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that Sessions had “destructively doubled down on the failed, costly, and racially discriminatory war on drugs, ignoring facts and logic, and trampling on the will of CA voters.” Newsom pledged to “pursue all options to protect our reforms and rights.” (Gorman and Galewitz, 1/5)
