January 4, 2017

Today Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District released the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions signaled he would rescind the Cole and Wilkinson memos, Obama-era Justice Department documents that outlined criteria for states to operate marijuana businesses without fear of a crackdown.

“This latest move from Attorney General Sessions and the Trump Administration is a direct attack on the State of Nevada, sovereign tribal governments, and the rights of people in states, tribes, and territories all across the United States,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus, a founding member of the House Cannabis Caucus. “The decision to rescind the Cole and Wilkinson memos undermines Nevada’s $622 million dollar industry, threatens nearly $1 billion in new investments, and jeopardizes thousands of new jobs and more than $60 million dollars in tax revenue for the State. It also targets veterans using medical marijuana to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and children with epilepsy, subjecting them to possible federal prosecution for seeking legal treatments for their ailments. Congress must immediately respond by passing permanent protections like the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act (H.R. 975 Rohrabacher-Blumenauer-Titus).”

TITUS’ RECORD ON MARIJUANA IN 115^th CONGRESS:

• Sponsor of Amendment to Omnibus Appropriations Bill for FY18 prohibiting the use of funds to prosecute members of federally-recognized Indian tribes located in states that have medical marijuana programs.
• Cosponsor of Amendment to Omnibus Appropriations Bill for FY18 on:
  • Rohrabacher-Blumenauer prohibiting prosecution in Medical Marijuana states
  • Blumenauer veterans equal access amendment
  • Heck (WA) providing safe haven for financial institutions working with marijuana businesses

BILLS CO-SPONSORING

• H.R.975 — Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017
• H.R.1810 — Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2017
• H.R.1820 — Veterans Equal Access Act
• H.R.331 — States' Medical Marijuana Property Rights Protection Act
• H.R. 2215 - Secure And Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2017
• Member of the House Marijuana Working Group and the House Cannabis Caucus.