California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has asked to meet with the state’s four federal prosecutors to figure out whether they plan to enforce federal cannabis laws in the recently legalized state, NBC Los Angeles reports. The issue comes one week after adult-use sales took effect throughout California and on the heels of a memo by Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinding the Obama-era Cole Memo, which protected state-legal cannabis programs.
“I’ve reached out to all four to sit down with them… because we’d like to know how each of the four will intend to move forward with this new policy from US DOJ. … I would encourage everyone in the state of California including the 400 people who have now gotten a license and registered to partake in our new industry to do it the right way… We are moving forward.” – AG Becerra to NBC4
Becerra indicated that state officials would take legal action against the federal government if prosecutors and law enforcement attempt to crack down on the newly-legal industry and stymie the will of the voters.
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, via Twitter, also said that state officials would “pursue all options” to protect the state’s “reforms and rights.”
“Jeff Sessions has destructively doubled down on the failed, costly, and racially discriminatory war on drugs, ignoring facts and logic, and trampling on the will of CA voters.” – Lt. Gov. Newsom, Jan. 4, Twitter
On the federal level, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have come out against AG Sessions’ decision.
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