BREAKING: Sessions Leaves Policy Alone, Says Cannabis Not as Dangerous as Heroin

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said today that Obama-era Marijuana policy remains in effect and also conceded that cannabis is NOT as dangerous as heroin.

“Our policy is the same, really, fundamentally as the Holder-Lynch policy, which is that the federal law remains in effect and a state can legalize marijuana for its law enforcement purposes but it still remains illegal with regard to federal purposes,” Sessions said, referring to his predecessors during the Obama administration.

Later, Sessions said, “I think that’s correct,” when Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) argued that cannabis isn’t as dangerous as heroin. Both are currently classified under Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Sessions also said, “I believe we are bound by” a federal budget rider that bars the federal government from spending money to interfere with state medical cannabis laws. The rider specifically bars prosecution of patients and providers who are acting in accordance with those laws.

Under the Cole Memo, the federal government set out certain criteria that allows states to implement their own laws without intervention. 

In April, Sessions directed a Justice Department task force to review the Obama administration memo and make recommendations for possible changes.