For the first time, President Donald Trump’s administration publicly took a side in the marijuana debate, saying Thursday it would direct the U.S. Department of Justice to crack down on violators of federal pot laws in states where recreational pot is legal. California, which approved recreational pot use in November and already has clashed with Trump over immigration, would appear to be a prime target for this new enforcement.
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said medical marijuana would not be targeted. But many medical marijuana companies are currently looking to expand into providing pot for recreational use, so making a firm differentiation could be difficult.
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In the Valley, it’s unclear whether any enforcement action is underway. Lauren Horwood, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Eastern District of California, said her office had no comment on any changes to Department of Justice policy regarding marijuana.