Press Releases

Washington, DC — Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) revealed today that in a recent phone conversation with President Trump, the President expressed support for letting states decide their own policies when it comes to cannabis. Senator Gardner has been blocking the confirmation of key nominees to the Department of Justice since Attorney General Sessions rescinded the Cole Memorandum earlier this year. President Trump’s comments to Senator Gardner are in direct contrast of those previously stated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, including "good people don’t smoke marijuana."

Though Sessions has been an outspoken opponent of medical cannabis, his views appear to be in conflict with other individuals, agencies of the current administration, and members of his own party. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed that Senator Gardner’s statements were "accurate" at the White House press briefing that took place on Friday, April 13th.

"Since the campaign, President Trump has consistently supported states’ rights to decide for themselves how best to approach marijuana," Senator Cory Gardner said in a statement. "President Trump has assured me that he will support a federalism-based legislative solution to fix this states’ rights issue once and for all."

"There has been a tremendous amount of uncertainty from this administration regarding cannabis and how federal laws would be enforced against states that have lawful medical cannabis programs." said Steph Sherer, Executive Director for Americans for Safe Access. "If the President intends to support a federalism-based solution, we are ready and willing to continue our efforts of ensuring that patients can access the medicine they need through robust state programs."

Senator Gardner’s press release on his conversations with President Trump can be found here.

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