Yesterday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions submitted his resignation to President Trump, at the President’s request. His resignation marks the end of an era at the Justice Department under one of the most notable cannabis opponents Washington has ever seen.

During a hearing in 2016, then-Senator Sessions firmly stated that “good people don’t smoke marijuana.” After being appointed as Attorney General by President Trump, Sessions made the decision to rescind the Obama-era Cole Memo, which outlined eight enforcement priorities that largely allowed states to set their own cannabis policies without fear of federal interference.

NCIA looks forward to working with acting-Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and is actively working with our allies in the Senate to ensure that the need to protect the legal cannabis industry is front and center when the future nominee is considered by the chamber.