Above Photo: From norml.org
Washington, DC: The Trump administration’s nominee for US Attorney General, William Barr, during Senate testimony on Tuesday affirmed that he would not use the power of the Justice Department to target marijuana-related activity in jurisdictions where the plant is legally regulated.
In response to a question posed by Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Barr said, “My approach … would not be to upset the settled expectations and the reliant interests that have arisen as a result of the Cole memorandum.” The 2013 Cole memo, which was rescinded by former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, directed prosecutors not to interfere with state legalization efforts and those licensed to engage in the plant’s production and sale, provided that such persons do not engage in marijuana sales to minors or divert the product to states that have not legalized its use, among other guidelines.
Although Barr said that he personally opposed the increasing divide between state and federal marijuana laws, he acknowledged that he will not “go after companies that have relied on the Cole memorandum.”
“It is encouraging that William Barr pledged not to enforce federal marijuana prohibition against the majority of US states that have reformed their laws. With this commitment, Congress has a clear mandate to take action and end the underlying policy of federal criminalization,” said NORML Political Director Justin Strekal.
William Barr is awaiting confirmation by the the Senate Judiciary Committee.