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Attorney General Nominee Opposes Marijuana Legalization

Attorney General Marijuana

At the first day of her confirmation hearings for attorney general, nominee Loretta Lynch clearly stated that she does not support marijuana legalization. In fact, she adamantly opposes it.

During her confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Lynch was asked by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) if she supports marijuana legalization. Lynch responded, “No I do not.”

Lynch added, “I can tell you that not only do I not support the legalization of marijuana, it is not the position of the Department of Justice currently to support the legalization. Nor will it be the position should I be confirmed as attorney general.”

Lynch was asked about a January 2014 interview in the New Yorker in which President Obama stated that he did not think marijuana was any more dangerous than alcohol, referencing his youth marijuana use.

When Lynch was asked if she agreed with Obama’s statement, she replied, “I certainly don’t hold that view, and don’t agree with that view of marijuana as a substance. I certainly think that the president was speaking from his personal experience and personal opinion — neither of which I am able to share.”

Lynch’s stance counters rapidly growing support for marijuana legalization nationwide. If she gets confirmation as Attorney General there will likely be a return of federal raids against state-legalized marijuana businesses.

Watch video clip of Lynch’s remarks on C-SPAN