Attorney General Jeff Sessions Marijuana Views Finds Resistance

Since his confirmation as Attorney General on February 9th, 2017, rumors have swirled about Jeff Sessions and his justice department’s expected treatment of marijuana and the states where it is legal.

Justice Department Confused About Jeff Sessions Marijuana Views

It is well known that the federal government does not view marijuana favorably and still does not believe there is any acceptable medical use for the plant. What we do not know concretely is how the new administration and justice department under Jeff Sessions will act on those archaic beliefs.

What Was Said In Sessions’ Letter

According to reports, Mr. Sessions sent a letter to Congress in May asking for the removal of the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment from the next federal budget. The amendment protects medical marijuana states by disallowing the DEA from spending even a dime on prosecuting states where medical marijuana is legal. Sessions, stated “I believe it would be unwise for Congress to restrict the discretion of the Department to fund particular prosecutions, particularly in the midst of an historic drug epidemic and potentially long-term uptick in violent crime,” as his reasoning for the request.

Medical Marijuana Still Has Its Supporters

Luckily, for the sake and safety of many medical marijuana patients, the Senate recently struck down Sessions letter. The Senate appropriations committee decided that it would be wasteful and useless to spend federal government funds on prosecuting medical marijuana states due to the Attorney General’s pseudo-scientific views of marijuana.

One of the Senators on the appropriations committee, Patrick Leahy of Vermont stated, “I don’t want them spending money pursuing medical marijuana patients who are following state law, whether they’re an epileptic or whatever they might be.”

Senator Leahy is one of the many American citizens who believes that Sessions is overstepping his judicial duties in attempting to impose his personal views upon the civil liberties of millions of people. It’s been said before but it must continue to be said, Attorney General Jeff Sessions must either resign or openly state his confidence in the laws and regulations of the states when it comes to medical marijuana.