Will Jeff Sessions Actually End Up Getting Cannabis Legalized?
Will Jeff Sessions Actually End Up Getting Cannabis Legalized?
And if so, would he consider himself to be a bad person?
No, I'm not joking, and that's not just a clickbait title. It's a serious question. In the time that has passed since Jeff Sessions rescinded an Obama-era memo on state marijuana laws which protected states who had legalized marijuana from federal prosecution, several more states have legalized cannabis in some form.1
I think it's quite possible that an attempt to come after an industry that grows larger every day will only backfire on Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III. The US cannabis industry is growing so far that there are now more legal cannabis workers than there are dental hygienists.3
Don't take my word for it, though. Here's what cannabis business expert Paul Seaborn has to say about whether or not people operating legal cannabis business should be worried about the federal government raiding that business:
“Based on my research and what I’ve learned while teaching the first US college course on the marijuana business at the University of Denver, I see no reason for supporters of legalization to panic. In fact, I believe that Sessions may have actually accelerated the process toward federal marijuana legalization.”4
I wonder what Jeff Sessions thinks about the fact that news broke of his rescinding of the memo on the same day that Vermont lawmakers approved a cannabis legalization bill5.
Which other states may add themselves to the list in 2018?
Well, here's two of the contenders:
Michigan
The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act would allow adults who are 21 or older to legally possess, grow, and consume cannabis. With limits, of course. What are the limits? They're not the worst. Being able to grow is definitely a plus, even if there are limits.
- [ ] 2.5 ounces outside of the home
- [ ] 10 ounces at home (in addition to what is grown legally)
- [ ] 12 plants in a single residence
Polling is showing that the ending of prohibition in Michigan is likely6. That region of the country joining in the wave of states legalizing cannabis would be great, if you ask me. Once legalization hits the rust belt, I think it'll be even more unstoppable.
New Jersey
New New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy made cannabis legalization part of his campaign.7 Before he even took office, state Democrats introduced a bill that would legalize cannabis.8
That legislation is a little more restrictive than Michigan's, however. It would still legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults over the age of 21... I have to word it that way, because some adults are excluded from being able to legally use "adult-use" cannabis.
Are you ready to see the arbitrary limits they've set?9
- [ ] 1 ounce of cannabis (don't they know that variety is the spice of life and that buying less than an ounce is foolish to some people?)
- [ ] 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products in solid form
- [ ] 72 ounces of cannabis-infused products in liquid form
- [ ] 7 grams of concentrate
- [ ] up to 6 immature plants
I ask this every time, but who benefits from those restrictions?
What do you think? Is the toothpaste out of the tube, or should be be shaking in our boots? Haven't I had to ask this question before already?
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I think it's possible great way for GOP to court youth vote in 2018
Could be. I think young people might move more towards libertarian candidates after the way things in the GOP have been going lately. Likewise, many young progressives hate what democrats have turned into. It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of decades.
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I need to learn more about cannabis investments. I don't currently have any.
I hope it gets legalized federally soon! Im in California, and with our new "legalization" I prob wont be able to grow it outdoors this year. My county is going to ban outdoor growing unless you live on over 2 acres. For me this is a huge step back from the year before when I was able to grow outdoors with my medical recommendation.
Bingo! These "legalization" measures in many cases make things worse. Here in MA having pot in your car was a $100 civil fine, but now that it is legal you are looking at arrest and criminal charges of DUI and open container for the same thing. When it was a civil offense the smell of pot in the car was no longer grounds for a legal search since possession was not a crime, now that's gone. Thanks legalization.
Definitely feels like a step backward to me, hopefully in time it will get better!
there is good and bad in the laws. one step forward, two steps back.
Yeah that's some bullshit right there! Even when it's "legal", people still aren't free.
in fact demonstrably less free. I watched an episode of cops filmed in Boston during decrim and the frustrated cop had to let all these kids go with $100 tickets, car after car, now I am sure it is off to jail just like the old days.
It's time to start a whole new country!
I would like to see how making this one great again turns out.
That's a ridiculous rule! Is living on over 2 acres in your county even possible for people who aren't rich?
Not easily attainable...way too many rules and regulations even if you do happen to have acreage--50 foot setback form property lines, fencing surrounding the grow that cant be seen through, limit of 6 plants, and I think they were even talking about limiting the area to 5x5, 25 square feet, and the plants cant be over 6 feet tall!
This is an awesome take on the subject. I've suggested to friends in the industry to remain calm and see how things shake out. Sessions may very well be playing the role of spoiler as part of a larger and more drawn-out plan to take down a deep state, if you will. While I did not vote for the current administration (Jill Stein), I was fully confident in 2016 the alternative to Trump was a far greater threat to the grander legalization effort. Maybe the ganja issue will very soon be taken for granted in light of imminent disclosures and proceedings of a much higher magnitude?
Jeff Sessions of course is no fan of pot but the memo being rescinded was a total nothing burger and yet NPR was calling it a "crackdown", Sessions is more concerned with rescinding all manner of memos that carry the force of law but that are not law, that was one of dozens, he thinks that congress should make the law. And of course that is good for cannabis to really get legalized, now those in congress need to put their money where their mouth is.
I hope so. I still have a fear that he's dumb enough to try some raids or something.
I should have been more clear, the host on NPR kept calling it "Jeff Sessions crackdown on legal marijuana" even after both of the guests they had on the show said they didn't think it was any such thing. If you are worried you could always put a Ganesh in your window.
hope like that..
It doesn't matter. This fight is over. A majoirity of states have legalize weed for medicinal use or recreational use. Every state is making hundreds of millions in tax revenue. There are now weed billionaires.
I will say this again. It is OVER. It is just a matter of time.
Politicians care about 2 things: money and power. And now that real legal money is flooding to their coffers, the powers that be will ensure that weed stays legal.
I sure hope you are right! I still think Sessions is dumb enough to try to go after us.
He will, but the Senate is already pushing back on him. Especially Republicans in states like CO where they get hella money from weed.
I sure hope so
Me too!
Really marijuana good is the beast freind
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