In an interview with Yahoo News, Colorado Sen. Corey Gardner said he believes President Donald Trump “will be true to his word” that the Department of Justice’s rescission of the Cole Memo would not impact state-approved cannabis programs.
Gardner, a Republican, had been preventing Justice Department nominees from being confirmed due to the threats to the legal cannabis industry by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He said he planned to introduce “a federalism bill” that would allow states to move forward with legalization plans despite federal statutes without the fear of crackdown. He suggested the measure could be introduced “later this week” or “a couple weeks from now.”
“It opts the state out of the marijuana provisions of deferral law, of Schedule I. While this doesn’t change Schedule I at all, it simply says if the state wants to do this, it no longer violates the law. So if Oklahoma wishes to maintain a prohibition on marijuana, then it would be illegal under state and local law in Oklahoma. But as far as Colorado goes, there would no longer be an illegal activity.” – Gardner to Yahoo News
Gardner indicated that he was working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on the legislation, including Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who represents Massachusetts – where recreational cannabis sales are expected to commence this summer.