Attorney General Jefferson Sessions has repealed the Cole Memo, a priority guidance memorandum concerning federal priorities as it pertains to marijuana. While the Cole Memo was not enforceable, and only to be used as guidance, state-licensed marijuana operations may be in jeopardy after this latest move.
The Sessions memo directs federal prosecutors, when deciding which cases to prosecute, “to weigh all relevant considerations, including federal law enforcement priorities set by the Attorney General, the seriousness of the crime, the deterrent effect of criminal prosecution, and the cumulative impact of particular crimes on the community.” This move, essentially, replaced the eight factors of the Cole Memo with four new factors to consider.
Read the JDSA Blog for more details.