Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated at a Thursday news conference voters should expect to see "greater enforcement" of federal laws against the use of recreational marijuana. Spicer's comments appear to signal President Donald Trump might be willing to put down nascent attempts to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide.
At the same time, Spicer said the president was supportive of a federal rule that gave leeway to states allowing medical marijuana use.
"There's a big difference between (medical marijuana) and recreational marijuana, and I think when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people," Spicer said, when asked about the topic of legalization. "There is still a federal law that we need to abide by in terms of recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature."
Spicer's statements did not come as a surprise to California Growers Association Executive Director Hezekiah Allen, who said that they were "the tip of the iceberg."
"I feel like what we needed most from Washington was information," he said. "Now we have it and now we'll have to put our heads together and figure out how to implement these (legalization) laws as quickly as possible. Our communities and watersheds can't benefit from regulations until the regulations are written and implemented. We've got to get this done."
California state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said the state's efforts to implement its recreational marijuana regulations are now on standby until the U.S. Department of Justice releases more details on its plans.
"You can't put the genie back into the bottle," McGuire said. "Marijuana regulation and enforcement can't and shouldn't go backwards."
Others questioned the federal government's ability to enforce its own prohibition laws. Marijuana is currently categorized as a Schedule I narcotic with no medicinal value under the Controlled Substances Act. Aaron Herzberg, who is a partner and general counsel for the Santa Ana-based cannabis real estate company CalCann Holdings LLC, described Spicer's statements as "saber rattling."
"If in fact Trump were to reinstitute raids on medical marijuana facilities that would be a major setback for the industry," he wrote in a statement. "But I don't see such a frontal attack as likely. The Hinchey—Rohrabacher amendment that prohibits federal funding be used to raid medical and recreational marijuana businesses has passed three times in Republican-controlled Congress. If it is again passed in April it will ensure that Trump can complain all he wants, but he or Sessions won't be able to do much other than complain and saber rattle."
Marijuana Policy Project Communications Director Mason Tvert urged Congress in a statement to continue to keep this budget amendment in place, stating that a reduction in regulation will have its own consequences.
"It is hard to imagine why anyone would want marijuana to be produced and sold by cartels and criminals rather than tightly regulated, taxpaying businesses," Tvert wrote.
Eight states have voted to legalize recreational marijuana since 2012. California has been working to reconcile separate regulations for medical cannabis under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and the newly adopted recreational cannabis laws under Proposition 64. The state has a fast-approaching Jan. 1, 2018 deadline to implement the new laws.
Allen said the White House's stance could now shift the state's focus to medical cannabis only depending on how state leaders respond.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: White House Signals Possible Crackdown On Recreational Marijuana
Author: Will Houston
Contact: 707-459-4643
Photo Credit: Digital First Media
Website: Willits News
At the same time, Spicer said the president was supportive of a federal rule that gave leeway to states allowing medical marijuana use.
"There's a big difference between (medical marijuana) and recreational marijuana, and I think when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people," Spicer said, when asked about the topic of legalization. "There is still a federal law that we need to abide by in terms of recreational marijuana and other drugs of that nature."
Spicer's statements did not come as a surprise to California Growers Association Executive Director Hezekiah Allen, who said that they were "the tip of the iceberg."
"I feel like what we needed most from Washington was information," he said. "Now we have it and now we'll have to put our heads together and figure out how to implement these (legalization) laws as quickly as possible. Our communities and watersheds can't benefit from regulations until the regulations are written and implemented. We've got to get this done."
California state Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said the state's efforts to implement its recreational marijuana regulations are now on standby until the U.S. Department of Justice releases more details on its plans.
"You can't put the genie back into the bottle," McGuire said. "Marijuana regulation and enforcement can't and shouldn't go backwards."
Others questioned the federal government's ability to enforce its own prohibition laws. Marijuana is currently categorized as a Schedule I narcotic with no medicinal value under the Controlled Substances Act. Aaron Herzberg, who is a partner and general counsel for the Santa Ana-based cannabis real estate company CalCann Holdings LLC, described Spicer's statements as "saber rattling."
"If in fact Trump were to reinstitute raids on medical marijuana facilities that would be a major setback for the industry," he wrote in a statement. "But I don't see such a frontal attack as likely. The Hinchey—Rohrabacher amendment that prohibits federal funding be used to raid medical and recreational marijuana businesses has passed three times in Republican-controlled Congress. If it is again passed in April it will ensure that Trump can complain all he wants, but he or Sessions won't be able to do much other than complain and saber rattle."
Marijuana Policy Project Communications Director Mason Tvert urged Congress in a statement to continue to keep this budget amendment in place, stating that a reduction in regulation will have its own consequences.
"It is hard to imagine why anyone would want marijuana to be produced and sold by cartels and criminals rather than tightly regulated, taxpaying businesses," Tvert wrote.
Eight states have voted to legalize recreational marijuana since 2012. California has been working to reconcile separate regulations for medical cannabis under the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act and the newly adopted recreational cannabis laws under Proposition 64. The state has a fast-approaching Jan. 1, 2018 deadline to implement the new laws.
Allen said the White House's stance could now shift the state's focus to medical cannabis only depending on how state leaders respond.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: White House Signals Possible Crackdown On Recreational Marijuana
Author: Will Houston
Contact: 707-459-4643
Photo Credit: Digital First Media
Website: Willits News
