Rosen: Attorney General Sessions Decision Threatens Nevada's Marijuana Legalization

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-03) released the following statement on news reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to rescind an Obama-era policy which effectively allowed states with legalized marijuana to continue cultivation, distribution, and consumption for both recreational and medicinal purposes:

"Nevadans made it clear at the ballot box in 2016 that they support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, and their decision should stand," said Rosen. "Local changes in marijuana policy in recent years have resulted in millions of dollars in new revenue for Nevada's state budget, thousands of new jobs, and countless medical benefits for Nevadans suffering from PTSD, cancer, and other illnesses. This federal overreach by President Trump's Department of Justice will create uncertainty and confusion for Nevadans. These reported actions are an insult to Nevada voters, an affront to states' rights, and a threat to our local economy."

BACKGROUND: Congresswoman Rosen supports the right of states to make their own decisions about marijuana regulatory laws. Earlier last year, Rosen joined a bipartisan letter urging the House Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee to include language in their 2018 appropriations bill that would bar the Justice Department from prosecuting people who comply with their state's medical marijuana laws. Rosen also co-sponsored a separate bipartisan amendment to prohibit federal funds from being used to penalize financial institutions that serve legal marijuana businesses.

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