On “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver scorched the federal arguments for continuing marijuana prohibition.
Over two dozen states have legalized the use of medical marijuana and eight states permit recreational use. However, marijuana is still a Schedule I substance, considered to be equally as dangerous as heroin in the eyes of federal authorities.
As the Obama Administration wound down, it became clear that they were placing less of a priority on marijuana enforcement. This seemed to be in line with a public that overwhelmingly supports marijuana legalization.
Unfortunately, Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not get the (Cole) memo, and has taken several opportunities to threaten a mass crackdown on the marijuana despite the patients and jobs that could be impacted.
If the government’s position on marijuana law makes no sense to you then you are not alone. Last night, John Oliver highlighted the absurdity as only he can on “Last Week Tonight.”
“Marijuana laws affect everything from environmental regulations to international treaties,” said Oliver. “And ideally, we should also go back and expunge records of people convicted of low-level marijuana offenses in the past. And all of this I know is a lot of work, which is why we should really start right now because I would argue that it is absolutely worth it.”
