Cohen Statement on New DOJ Guidelines that Better Protect Businesses and Individuals that Comply with State and Local Marijuana Laws

[MEMPHIS, TN] – After Congressman Cohen urged Attorney General Holder to allow states to determine their own marijuana laws and to respect those determinations, the Department of Justice today announced new guidelines for federal prosecutors that—while not fully protecting businesses and individuals that comply with state and local laws—appear to reduce risk of federal prosecution for those individuals and businesses. The Congressman made the following statement:

“Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously said that states are the laboratories of democracy,” said Congressman Cohen. “He was right—but if those laboratories are to make any sort of breakthrough, the federal government must give them that chance. Today’s move by Attorney General Holder that means those who comply with relevant state and local laws are less at risk of overzealous federal prosecution is a step in the right direction, and it continues this Administration’s recent strides towards a smarter, more just approach to federal drug policy.”

“President Obama’s Administration is making incremental progress to address the basic unfairness of our federal drug policy and law enforcement policy, and I appreciate that it has started to work on these important issues. I look forward to working with the President and the Attorney General to finish the work that has been started, to make sure our sentencing laws are equally applied and reflect American ideals, and that law-abiding citizens of states like Colorado and Washington do not live in fear of their federal government.”

Earlier this year, Congressman Cohen also introduced legislation to create a National Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy. The Commission would undertake a comprehensive review of the federal government’s current policies toward marijuana, particularly in light of the growing number of states where marijuana is already legal for medicinal or personal use. The Congressman has also called on the Attorney General to help reduce unfairness and injustice in our criminal justice system for several years.