Connect with us

Cannabis News

Congresswoman Demands Answers From Trump DOJ Over Marijuana Prosecution Policy Change

Published

3 weeks ago

on

Democratic congressmen are demanding the Justice Department respond to the Trump administration’s action by a U.S. attorney, his office said recently, to explain the apparent “backwardness” of federal marijuana enforcement guidelines recently revealed by a U.S. attorney. It will “harshly” prosecute people for possessing or using cannabis on federal lands.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), chairwoman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday saying the review’s revelations about federal cannabis policy “raise serious concerns about the transparency and rationale behind the Department’s enforcement priorities, which will inevitably have a serious social and economic impact on communities across the country.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming said earlier this month that the DOJ sent a memo to federal prosecutors in September announcing it was rescinding a previously unpublished Biden-era policy that discouraged people from trespassing on federal land.

“We need common sense cannabis policy reform,” Titus told Marijuana Moment after sending the letter to Bondi on Friday. “It is ridiculous for the Trump Administration to enforce an antiquated law and target the simple possession of marijuana, claiming it is a public safety risk. As chair of the Cannabis Caucus, I am taking the lead in challenging this decision that would continue a cycle of unfair incarceration and unequal enforcement.”

Neither the memo nor the prior guidance has been made publicly available, and the Trump administration is asking prosecutors to provide a copy of its message — and to answer additional questions about marijuana enforcement priorities — by Dec. 3.

“The simple possession of marijuana does not pose a significant threat to public safety, and it is indefensible to revive prosecution under an outdated law that does not reflect the current use of cannabis in the United States,” he said. “The War on Drugs has been a costly enterprise that has disproportionately affected low-income and historically marginalized communities.”

He added that marijuana remains the leading cause of drug-related arrests “despite the fact that most states have to varying degrees enacted laws that relax prohibitions against the use of marijuana or its components.”

“A return to criminalization at the federal level will not deter use or strengthen public safety; it will simply continue the cycle of incarceration and uneven enforcement,” the congressman wrote. “The consequences of a simple possession of cannabis charge can have life-changing consequences.”

“Your decision to begin prosecuting misdemeanor marijuana requires immediate reconsideration. I urge you to release the Biden-era guidance and appeal memos without delay. The public deserves full transparency about the policies that shape federal enforcement priorities and determine how taxpayer dollars are deployed. People should face criminal penalties for possessing minors.”

In addition to issuing September notices to U.S. attorneys about marijuana charges, Titus is asking the DOJ to specify what types of cannabis crimes it prioritizes, what “data and evidence” it relied on to reverse the Biden-era policy, how many cannabis possession cases the department has prosecuted on federal land in the past 10 years and how many it expects to prosecute for the policy.

“Thank you for your attention to this important issue,” the letter concludes. “I look forward to working with you to ensure federal enforcement policies are transparent and aligned with the values ​​and priorities of the American public.”

While former President Joe Biden issued two mass pardons to people convicted of federal cannabis possession offenses during his tenure – notably including those convicted in the second round of possession on federal land – the administration did not report that a prosecutorial guidance directive had been issued, and there has been no news.

Questions remain about the specifics of marijuana prosecution policies associated with Biden and Trump, but the apparent decision to roll back discretionary policies adds uncertainty to how the current administration views its enforcement role as federal and state cannabis laws continue to conflict.

For example, the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming came just one day later Trump signed a major spending bill that includes provisions to ban consumable hemp products containing THC—Industry players say the president’s legalization of the crop would wipe out the market that has sprung up since he signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law during his first term.

Then there is the ongoing process of reorganizing marijuana, which the president said would be decided in a few weeks at the end of August.

That hasn’t happened yet, a White House spokesperson told Marijuana Moment “There is a process underway regarding the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Marijuana Reregulation From May 2024 onwards and all policy and legal requirements and implications are being considered”.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Trump endorsed the review — as well as bank access to the marijuana industry and an initiative to legalize adult use in Florida, which ultimately failed — during his campaign ahead of his second term. But when he was informed of the status of the reorganization process in mid-August, he was less clear about his personal position.

The administration was “only looking at” the reform, and he said at the time that it was “too early” to say how the issue would be decided, adding that it was “a very complicated issue”.

Meanwhile, key White House staff under the Biden administration has recently shed new light on the massive marijuana pardon and cannabis reprogramming process they helped facilitate, revealing the extent to which they were involved in the broader acts of grace that GOP leaders now scrutinize.

Also, as the marijuana reregulation proposal awaits action, some GOP members of Congress have urged Trump to push ahead with reform, with one lawmaker joking that it’s possible, taking a jab at Biden. the previous administration “shouldn’t have been able to find the autopen in time” to complete the cannabis reform process he started

Separately, the president last month posted a video on the Truth Social platform to promote the health benefits of cannabis– suggesting that covering CBD under Medicare would be “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron on Patreon!

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Cannabis News

US (FL): Cannabis company countersues competitor for AI-fabricated extortion

Published

19 hours ago

on

December 9, 2025

By


Leafwell Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against medical marijuana company My Florida Green, alleging that its competitor used artificial intelligence to make legal claims as part of an extortion scheme designed to harm Leafwell’s business. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court…

Continue Reading

Cannabis News

Maine Officials Approve 2026 Ballot Initiative To Largely Repeal Marijuana Legalization Law For Signature Collection

Published

19 hours ago

on

December 9, 2025

By

Maine officials have given permission to prohibition activists to begin gathering signatures for a proposal A ballot initiative that would roll back the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law. The measure, if passed, would also overhaul the regulatory structure of the medical cannabis program by establishing product testing requirements.

The proposal — called the “Cannabis Legalization Act and Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act” — is a revamped version of a marijuana initiative introduced in September, sponsored by a Republican state senator and a former top staffer for then-Gov. Paul LePage (R), staunch prohibitionist.

The latest proposal, a petition approved by the Secretary of State on Monday, would remove and amend multiple sections of the current state statute, which voters approved in 2016 to effectively repeal the legalization of recreational marijuana sales.

Adults over the age of 21 would remain legal to possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis under the proposal, but a section of the law allowing home cultivation would be repealed. The sale and home cultivation of medical marijuana would be legal.

Madison Carey, who was listed as a lead petitioner in the original version of the repeal initiative and remains involved in the current campaign, told Marihuana Momenti on Tuesday that “there needs to be regulation of marijuana,” arguing that her own experience recovering from opioid misuse disorder speaks to the inadequacy of the current law.

“My hope is to raise awareness of the reality of the potential dangers of not having regulation,” he said. “I think people are fed up with the constant use — the constant (retail businesses) coming up where people can legally buy marijuana.”

Of course, repealing the voter-approved law that established the adult-licensed sales system would eliminate the current regulatory infrastructure in place, which reform advocates say helps mitigate public health and safety risks associated with the illegal market.

Rep. David Boyer (R), who led the fight to get a cannabis legalization initiative on Maine’s ballot in 2016 when he was a staff member at the Marihuana Policy Project, said voters should refuse to sign petitions for the new initiative.

“Don’t stop Maine’s progress, don’t stop signing this unfair repeal initiative,” he told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. “Repealing the legalization of cannabis would shut down an industry larger than lobsters, potatoes and blueberries combined, costing our state jobs, revenue and economic growth.”

According to the new measure, the director of the Office of Cannabis Policy will “advance policies that promote the health and welfare of the people of the state and protect their health and safety, emphasizing the health and welfare of minors as a priority consideration in the performance of all duties.”

They should also “ensure that eligible patients maintain access to high-quality, effective, and affordable medical cannabis under this Act.”

Under the proposal, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services would create a testing program for cannabis products that would require dispensaries and dispensaries to send those products to a licensed facility for safety evaluation before dispensing them to qualified patients.

The testing facility “should ensure that cannabis or cannabis products do not exceed acceptable levels of contamination for any contaminants that are harmful to health and require testing and ensure proper labeling.”

“The department shall adopt rules establishing a testing program under this section, rules identifying the types of pollutants harmful to health, which must be tested for cannabis and cannabis products under this chapter, and rules regarding the maximum level of contamination for each pollutant,” the vote said. the initiative the text says

Additionally, regulators should administer a system to track cannabis plants from seed to the point of retail sale or disposal. That system “should be able to track cannabis plants in groups during the cultivation phase and when passing from the cultivation phase to another registrar”.

Entrepreneurs must submit at least 67,682 valid voter signatures by February 2, 2026 to be eligible for next year’s ballot. If approved by voters, the initiative would take effect on January 1, 2028.

—
It’s Marijuana Moment tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Maine lawmakers passed a bill in June legalize possession of an ounce of psilocybin Adults over 21 years of age.

After a different effort in the state last year legalize psilocybin and allow adults to access the psychedelic in state-licensed facilities. But lawmakers watered down that bill—instead, they changed it to create a committee to study further reforms—and in the end it was not approved.

Meanwhile, Maine legislators in February A top marijuana official voted to investigate possible conflicts of interest.

And last year, the law that allowed people came into force now apply for legal marijuana crime records to be sealed.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron on Patreon!

Continue Reading

Cannabis News

By concentrating our portfolio, we create room for innovation and growth

Published

2 days ago

on

December 8, 2025

By






Viscon transfers the range fork product portfolio to Flier






Viscon Plant Technology will transfer its spacer fork product portfolio (including spacer forks and fixed forks) to Flier Systems effective January 1, 2026.

“The furrows are a proven solution for spacing within the sector. By transferring this portfolio to Flier Systems, the technology will remain available to both existing and new customers, with continued quality and support. Flier Systems will take over development, sales and technical service, while Viscon Plant Technology focuses on its core activities,” the team says.

© Viscon

“The transfer of the fields is a deliberate strategic step to strengthen our focus on automation solutions for plant growers and young breeders. In addition to concentrating our portfolio on technologies such as tissue culture automation, phenotypic sorting and somatic embryogenesis automation, we create room for further innovation and growth. We are pleased to have found a reliable and dedicated partner in Flier Systems,” said Nigela, who will continue the same product portfolio. Viscon Plant Technology.

“Acquiring spacer forks fits perfectly into our strategy to automate the entire production process for professional plant growers. Having just introduced the upgraded SPH transplanter/sorter, we have already taken an important step in the automation of potted plants. Acquiring spacer forks is a logical addition as it allows us to offer a complete and integrated package. Viscon,” said Ad Kranendonk, Flier Systems.



Publication date:













Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2021 The Art of MaryJane Media