Jeff Sessions, former U.S. Attorney General under President Trump, recently shared his perspective on why marijuana remains federally illegal—blaming political fear rather than scientific or public health concerns. His comments offer a rare inside view into the mindset that continues to slow cannabis reform at the national level.
Speaking at a recent event, Sessions suggested that many federal lawmakers actually understand the growing support for legalization. However, he believes they avoid taking strong positions because they fear political backlash from more conservative voters and traditional interest groups. In short, he claims federal cannabis policy is stuck more because of political risk calculations than because of real opposition to reform.
This isn’t the first time Sessions has commented on cannabis policy. During his time as attorney general, he was known for his hardline stance against legalization, famously reversing Obama-era protections that gave states freedom to operate legal cannabis markets without federal interference. His anti-cannabis positions made him a controversial figure within the broader cannabis reform movement.
Today, though, even Sessions acknowledges that public attitudes have shifted dramatically. A 2024 Pew Research Center poll shows that nearly 70% of Americans support legalizing cannabis for adult use. Despite this overwhelming support, federal legalization has stalled, with measures like the SAFE Banking Act and broader reform bills facing repeated hurdles in Congress.
Sessions’ theory reflects a deeper truth many advocates have long recognized: that federal cannabis laws often lag behind public opinion because of political inertia, outdated stigmas, and fears about appearing “soft” on drugs.
Meanwhile, the cannabis industry continues to expand at the state level, creating thousands of jobs, generating billions in tax revenue, and providing relief to millions of patients. Many reformers argue that federal lawmakers must find the courage to modernize national cannabis laws—not just because the public demands it, but because the evidence overwhelmingly supports it.
As more political leaders—on both sides of the aisle—speak openly about cannabis reform, pressure continues to build for Congress and the White House to act. The longer federal legalization is delayed, the more out of step Washington risks becoming with the rest of the country.
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