Oregon leaders react loudly to Sessions’ marijuana move

(Update: Oregon U.S. attorney statement)

Gov. Kate Brown was among several Oregon lawmakers and leaders voicing their displeasure Thursday at reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will rescind current federal marijuana policy. But the state’s top federal law enforcement officer promised a “reasoned exercise of discretion” in prosecuting marijuana-related crimes.

Here’s her full statement:

“Reports that Attorney General Jeff Sessions will roll back federal marijuana policy are deeply concerning and disruptive to our state’s economy. Over 19,000 jobs have been created by the market Oregon worked carefully to build in good faith and in accordance with the Cole Memorandum. The federal government must keep its promise to states that relied on its guidance.

“States are the laboratories of democracy, where progressive policies are developed and implemented for the benefit of their people. Voters in Oregon were clear when they chose for Oregon to legalize the sale of marijuana and the federal government should not stand in the way of the will of Oregonians.

“My staff and state agencies are working to evaluate reports of the Attorney General’s decision and will fight to continue Oregon’s commitment to a safe and prosperous recreational marijuana market.”

Governor Kate Brown and Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton in August sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, explaining in detail the state policies in place that are aimed at the safety and security of Oregon’s marijuana market.

Both Governor Brown and Superintendent Hampton demonstrated in detail how Oregon is working proactively to comply with the Cole Memorandum by protecting public health, protecting minors, preventing diversion, and suppressing organized and violent crime.

U.S. Attorney for Oregon Billy Williams issued this statement later in the day:

Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, provided the below statement on marijuana enforcement in the District of Oregon.

“As noted by Attorney General Sessions, today’s memo on marijuana enforcement directs all U.S. Attorneys to use the reasoned exercise of discretion when pursuing prosecutions related to marijuana crimes. We will continue working with our federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners to pursue shared public safety objectives, with an emphasis on stemming the overproduction of marijuana and the diversion of marijuana out of state, dismantling criminal organizations and thwarting violent crime in our communities .”

Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., r eleased the following statement after reports that Sessions will rescind key federal policy that has effectively allowed states to determine their own cannabis laws:

“This is a destructive decision and a huge step backwards. Whatever happened to Attorney General Sessions’ belief in states’ rights? This decision directly contradicts then-candidate Trump’s statement on cannabis policy that ‘it should be up to the states, absolutely.’

“There is nothing to be gained from going back to an era when federal resources were wasted prosecuting nonviolent cannabis crimes. This decision will create massive uncertainty, hurt local businesses and tax revenue, and harm public safety by driving cannabis activity back into the more dangerous black market. The Justice Department should immediately reverse this misguided decision and honor Trump’s campaign commitment, and I will keep fighting to make this happen.”

Here’s a statement from Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum:

“Last year in Oregon, we collected over $60 million in state taxes as a result of our now legal marijuana industry. At the Oregon Department of Justice we will continue to make sure Oregon’s marijuana industry thrives under our carefully considered state regulatory requirements. The United States Attorney General Jeff Session’s decision today to rescind the Cole Memo, which has provided helpful guidance over the past five years to Oregon and other states that have legalized marijuana, is yet another example of this administration’s overreach. I value my working relationship with Oregon U.S. Attorney-nominee Bill Williams and I look forward to working with his office. States up and down the West Coast, and beyond, have spoken. This is an industry that Oregonians have chosen–and one I will do everything within my legal authority to protect.”

Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read also issued a statement regarding the DOJ reversal on marijuana policy:

“Reports that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will attempt to overrule the will of Oregon voters and cause confusion and unnecessary burden on states that have thoughtfully implemented recreational marijuana sales is a violation of the Trump administration’s alleged support for states’ rights and a waste of precious public safety dollars. If the administration truly wanted to address a public health crisis they would put their time and resources toward fighting the opioid epidemic. The cannabis industry in Oregon has created jobs and tax revenue for our state, and the federal government should not attempt to disrupt our economy with this unnecessary action.”