The White House is throwing major shade on recreational marijuana, which has already been legalized in several states, but is giving a pass to medical marijuana.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Thursday the Trump administration plans to enforce federal laws against the use of recreational marijuana, according to The Hill.
“I do believe that you’ll see greater enforcement,” Spicer said.
“Because again there’s a big difference between the medical use…that’s very different than the recreational use, which is something the Department of Justice will be further looking into,” he added, according to Reuters.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who’s been openly against recreational marijuana use, discussed his plans on the matter during his confirmation hearing in January, noted The Hill.
“Using good judgement about how to handle these cases will be a responsibility of mine,” Sessions said at the time. “I know it won’t be an easy decision, but I will try to do my duty in a fair and just way.”
While 26 states have legalized the use of marijuana, only seven of them have done so for recreational purposes. California, Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada are among the seven states that have recently legalized the recreational use of marijuana. So has the District of Columbia.
Spicer’s remarks got some backlash from the marijuana industry.
“It would be a mistake for the Department of Justice to overthrow the will of the voters and state governments,” said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association, said in a statement, per Reuters.
Three-quarters of cannabis stocks saw a decline on Thursday following Spicer’s comments.