Justice Department marijuana shift frustrates states

WASHINGTON—States that have legalized recreational cannabis use criticized U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Thursday decision to roll back Obama-era marijuana policy. Sessions ordered federal prosecutors to consider pursuing marijuana cases, reversing the Obama administration’s 2013 directive to stand down in states that voted to permit cannabis use. Federal law still classifies the drug in the same category as heroin despite voter-approved measures in eight states and the District of Columbia to legalize it in various forms. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., whose state voted to allow recreational marijuana use in 2012, said Sessions committed to him last year not to go after the marijuana industry. He accused the attorney general of trying to block the will of Colorado voters. “I am prepared to take all steps necessary, including holding [Department of Justice] nominees, until the attorney general lives up to the commitment he made to me prior to his confirmation,” Gardner tweeted. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, said Thursday that Sessions also gave him assurances the Justice Department would take a hands-off approach to cannabis. Recreational pot became legal in California for the first time on New Year’s Day. The state’s Democratic attorney general, Xavier Becerra, said in a statement he plans to defend California’s state law. Sessions’ decision muddies the water for how prosecutors handle drug cases and could cause investors to shy away from the growing cannabis industry. Through regulating marijuana, Colorado collected an additional $225 million in tax revenue last year.