The Real Reason Why Donald Trump Supports State Marijuana Rights and What It Means for Jeff Sessions
Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions’ rocky relationship path continues to motor along as Trump’s support for marijuana rights is another jab at the attorney general.
Sessions announced the rollback of the Obama-era law, while Trump stayed quiet for several weeks. However, new developments may add a chapter in the Trump versus Sessions smackdown. Page 6 may be the real reason why Trump made this recent announcement.
1. This is what Sessions wants to do to the marijuana industry
Sessions has it out for the legal marijuana industry. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Sessions wants to banish the law that prevents federal authorities from charging marijuana dealers with a crime in states where the sale is legalized, according to the Associated Press. Lawmakers responded swiftly, denouncing Session’s announcement, saying the intention was “disruptive” and “regrettable.”
Next: Sessions hates marijuana so much he said this.
2. He dropped this bomb about marijuana
Sessions: Klan okay, marijuana bad. | Zach Gibson/Getty Images
Sessions despises marijuana so much he even voiced support for the Ku Klux Klan: “I thought those guys were okay until I learned they smoked pot,” Westword reports. Although later, when busted for saying this, he said he was joking. Sessions is still an over-the-top opponent of weed.
Next: Trump and Sessions have a history of catfights.
3. Trump and Sessions are hot and cold
There’s a lot of tension between Trump and Sessions. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Trump went nuts when Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation then threw Sessions under the bus, saying it was Sessions who told him to fire James Comey, New York Magazine reports. Sessions has been on the verge of being fired several times with Trump even trying to humiliate Sessions into quitting.
Next: Trump and Sessions disagree on marijuana laws.
4. This is what Trump originally said
Trump has been vague about his personal stance on marijuana. | Chris Kleponis – Pool/Getty Images
Although Trump has flip-flopped on issues since becoming president, he said marijuana laws should be left to the states, the AP reports. Although Sessions is vocal about his disdain for weed, Trump’s personal views are not readily known.
Next: Sessions’ big announcement blows up in his face.
5. Did Trump make this announcement to undermine Sessions?
Trump told Senator Gardner that he was leaving marijuana laws to the states. | Alex Wong/Getty Images
Months after Sessions’ declaration, Trump backed his original view to leave marijuana laws to the states, New York Daily News reports. Trump went further and told Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, “He will support a federalism-based legislative solution to fix this states’ rights issue once and for all,” Gardner released in a statement.
Next: Could this be why Trump came out with this declaration?
6. Maybe Trump is seeking his revenge on Sessions for this
Trump’s tweet about Jeff Sessions | https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/968856971075051521?lang=en
Trump has been spicy toward Sessions for a number of reasons. Most recently he didn’t like how Sessions handled Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act abuse, calling his move “disgraceful” on Twitter. Also, Sessions was recently featured on the cover of Time, which is a sore point for the president, according to The Hill.
Next: Did Sessions respond to Trump’s stance on marijuana?
7. So far this is what Sessions says about Trump’s announcement
Sessions has been silent since Trump’s comments. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Nothing. Crickets. Nada. Since Trump’s announcement Sessions has been publicly quiet, according to New York Daily News. An inside source said Trump never consulted with the Justice Department prior to connecting with Gardner.
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