Maine Legal Group Logo
Main Office
Satellite Office
Consultations by Appointment Only

Department of Justice to Strictly Enforce Federal Drug Law

A judge's gavel next a law book that says "Drug Law", representing how one can benefit from calling a Portland criminal defense lawyer.

While policy decisions from the White House have been vague or difficult to follow, the new statement on the enforcement of federal drug laws is pretty clear: The Department of Justice will ignore state laws that decriminalize marijuana.

While this does not come as much of a surprise – especially after Senator Jeff Sessions was confirmed as the U.S. Attorney General – the clarity of the announcement seals the deal.

Federal Drug Laws to be Strictly Enforced

The announcement was made in a press conference with White House press secretary Sean Spicer. When asked about how the federal government would handle the enforcement of federal drug law, Spicer said, “I do believe you will see greater enforcement of it.”

Despite there being no scientific evidence to support it, Spicer went on to say that the change in policy was because of the heroin and opioid epidemic.

“When you see something like the opioid addition crisis blossoming in so many states around the country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people,” Spicer stated. “There is still a federal law that we need to abide by when it comes to recreational marijuana and drugs of that nature.”

Whether the change in policy is actually because of the increase in deaths after opioid overdoses or because of Senator Sessions’ longstanding advocacy against marijuana is unclear. Claiming that marijuana use is somehow responsible for heroin deaths is flimsy, at best.

Federal Enforcement Staying Away from Medical Marijuana

However, Spicer was careful to distinguish recreational marijuana from medicinal marijuana. President Donald Trump has long been supportive of medical marijuana, and seems intent on allowing states to make their own decision on that front.

Instead, it’s just recreational use that the Department of Justice is focusing on.

Impact on Maine Drug Laws

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that people in Maine won’t notice a difference.

Recently, the Department of Justice had given states more or less free rein to make their own decisions on marijuana. Many states, including Maine, passed medical marijuana laws, while several decriminalized recreational pot, as well.

The new stance, though, is that the federal government is done letting states make their own choice.

The result will be an increased federal presence in the enforcement of drug crimes. In the past few years, this had been almost exclusively done by states.

Criminal Defense Attorney William T. Bly

This new enforcement policy from the top of the federal government is worrisome. When federal agencies get involved in state issues, the sheer amount of resources that can be deployed by law enforcement can really shake things up. Additionally, federal criminal drug laws are significantly worse than state drug laws, which should concern all citizens who smoke marijuana recreationally.

Criminal defense attorney William T. Bly knows this, and will fight for both your rights and interests, in and out of court, if you’ve been federally charged with a drug crime in Maine. Contact his law office online or at (207) 571-8146 to get the legal help you need.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

Contact our office to speak with
one of our team members who will set up a confidential consultation to discuss your case.

PRACTICE AREAS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Great group of people. Managed to get me a favorable outcome from a very bad situation. I would highly recommend this firm if you have legal troubles. Top notch performance!!

Dave Allen

So thankful I chose this team to represent me. They’re the best, hands down. Nathan Hitchcock proved my innocence not once but TWICE, including a trial by jury. I have a family in law enforcement who told me “Bill Bly and his team are the best. If I would recommend anyone, it would be them.”

Brandon Albert

AVOID A CRIMINAL RECORD

OUR RATES INCLUDE TRIAL FEES*

OVER 115+ GOOGLE REVIEWS

OVER 165+ AVVO REVIEWS

Ready to Get Started? Get In Touch With Us Today!

If you are facing criminal charges in Maine, the attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group are here to help. Call our office to speak with one of our team members, who will discuss your case with you and set up a consultation with one of our attorneys.

Get to Know Our Group
Maine Legal Group

We are a boutique law firm, and we stand out by prioritizing our clients’ well-being. At The Maine Legal Group, our experienced team offers personalized attention in both criminal defense and divorce cases.

The Maine Criminal Defense Group

The Maine Criminal Defense Group adeptly handles all areas of criminal defense practice, including experienced and skilled legal representation for state and federal charges.

The Maine Divorce Group

The Maine Divorce Group empowers individuals skillfully navigating divorce with compassionate guidance, ensuring a brighter future through the challenges of the process.