What Republicans are saying about Jeff Sessions’s war on marijuana

Earlier this week when Attorney General Jeff Sessions rolled back protections of state legal marijuana businesses he not only wrinkled the feathers of cannabis businesses and consumers allover the country, but he also genuinely upset many U.S. lawmakers. It might be expected for Democrat lawmakers to be fighting back, but even in the often politically divided climate we are living in, the Republican lawmakers are also very upset with Session's attempt to unhinge the marijuana industry. When you're talking about the cannabis industry you're not just talking about a small political movement anymore, you're talking about 230,000 workers and jobs, $6.7 billion in annual sales, and a strong majority of U.S. voters' support. With so much backing the industry it's not hard to believe that cannabis is one of the few issues with bipartisan support. Senators and Representatives are voicing their distate for Sessions' recent move and some have even made plans to fight back.

While Congress has lagged far behind the public on questions of marijuana policy, numbers like the ones above have won many lawmakers over to reformers' side. Democratic lawmakers have harshly criticized the Justice Department's move, but more surprisingly a number of Republican lawmakers have weighed in with sharp criticism as well.

“This reported action directly contradicts what Attorney General Sessions told me prior to his confirmation. With no prior notice to Congress, the Justice Department has trampled on the will of the voters in CO and other states.

“I am prepared to take all steps necessary, including holding DOJ nominees, until the Attorney General lives up to the commitment he made to me prior to his confirmation.”