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Melissa Hutsell is an award-winning freelance journalist with a deep rooted passion for both community and international journalism. She was born and raised in Northern California, and has lived, studied, worked, and traveled in more 20 different countries. Melissa holds a Master's degree in Global Journalism from City University London, as well as degrees in Journalism and Globalization from Humboldt State University. Though she covers various topics as both a writer and editor, she specializes in business and cannabis journalism.
Will Jeff Sessions Wage War on the Cannabis Industry?
The November 2016 election in the US brought major changes for Californians: the legalisation of recreational marijuana, and the election of Donald Trump. The repercussions of the new enactments have prompted many questions, including how the 45th president will choose to deal with marijuana legalisation, which US voters have shown to favour.
Jeff Sessions, Trump’s pick for Attorney General (the highest ranking legal representative in the nation) has brought uncertainty to the cannabis industry. Sessions is known for his prohibitionist and racist rhetoric; he once stated he liked the KKK before realising they smoked marijuana. Trump’s views on marijuana are mixed. He has stated support for medical marijuana and for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which has killed more than 2,000 people. Though it remains uncertain what the new administration will do, there is no protection under federal law for those in the cannabis industry. This very fact means it is up to the administration, particularly Sessions, to ignore or recognise the voters’ will.
This article gives some perspective on the new administration and its platform on drug policy. Furthermore, it gives readers an understanding of current policy. Sessions is given the power to decide whether or not to re-ignite the already failed war on drugs. Neither his nor Trump’s intentions on the topic have been made clear. But, judging from previous statements, both seem to oppose progressive marijuana policy. If opposed, this would throw the billion-dollar cannabis industry into chaos, as even taxpaying business owners will be exposed to criminalisation. Either way, with more states legalising cannabis, the repercussions will set international precedent.
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I have the feeling you immediately got the idea of what the pitch text has to deliver and found your voice. So I don't have to comment on that any more. Just one remark regarding the recommended content. So far your piqs were of rather general interest and that's great. From time to time, updates on the US cannabis policy are important, but news with an impact restricted to the US mainly, should be the exemption. Based on your past piqs I'm sure, you'll find the right mix. Just wanted to raise awareness of the global approach (not sure if we can deliver on that, but I'd love to try).