Since the election of President Trump, we have received many questions about how this could impact the legalization of Marijuana.
So far, nothing definitive has been said by this administration on the subject, and Trump himself has been ambiguous as to the future of legalization.
In the past, Trump has said that he feels it’s an issue that should be determined on a state by state basis. This would suggest his administration may continue the “look the other way” approach of the previous administration.
But what about our new Attorney General?
There is widespread concern regarding the nomination and expected confirmation of Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) for Attorney General, as many people feel his confirmation does not bode well for the legalization movement.
Sessions has repeatedly made it clear that he is against any attempts to reschedule marijuana, and has hinted he would go after anyone breaking federal law, which ultimately supersedes state law.
How this will impact states where there has been reform is difficult to say. Will Sessions shut down states with full legalization like Colorado? Will he go after medicinal states as well?
At this time, we just don’t know.
Legalized marijuana, both medicinal and recreational, is currently a six billion dollar industry, and that doesn’t include California’s recent legalization of recreational use.
A majority of states already have some type of reform in place– medicinal, decriminalization and/or recreational use. Whether or not this administration is prepared to absorb the financial repercussions of prosecution remains to be seen.
Beyond that, the loss of tax revenue, and the overall economic impact of shutting down one of the fastest growing industries in the country, would give anyone pause.
And that is the one hopeful aspect of all this. President Trump is a businessman who ultimately recognizes a good deal when he sees one.
Let’s all hope “The Art of the Deal” is more than just a book title.
Click Here for a complete state by state listing for medical and recreational marijuana reform information.