By Jedamiah Wolf // Planet Experts
The White House recently made some not-so-subtle hints about a federal crackdown on marijuana. Could the feds roll back the rapidly blooming end to prohibition? And what does this mean for the budding industry in states that have established medical and recreational markets? Planet Experts spoke with marijuana attorney Michael Chernis to get the details.
Empty Threats or Ample Warning?
The marijuana movement was given some disturbing news on February 23rd when Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he expects “greater enforcement” of federal laws that prohibit marijuana use.
Several days later, Attorney General Jeff Sessions echoed Spicer’s claims by saying, “it does remain a violation of federal law to distribute marijuana throughout any place in the United States, whether a state legalizes it or not.”
Is this the beginning of the end for legalization or is it just an unsubstantiated threat?
“It is disconcerting,” Chernis said, “but I’m hopeful that theses signals don’t come to fruition. It’s possible that proposed policy changes get stamped down by other people close to the administration who don’t want to pick a fight with marijuana entrepreneurs.”
Of note, Trump is considering marijuana legalization advocate Jim O’Niell to run the FDA. O’Neill also has close ties with the President’s advisor and supporter, billionaire Peter Thiel, who is a major cannabis investor.
Misunderstanding and Hypocrisy
“There’s no rational reason to fight this trend other than some puritanical ideology,” argued Chernis…
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