OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee says there will be no change to marijuana policy despite a Trump administration move that could lead to a federal crackdown on sales in states that have legalized the drug.
Speaking at an Associated Press legislative forum Thursday, Inslee said "we are going to continue our operations." He said the system set up after voters approved recreational pot sales in 2012 is working to provide a safe, regulated market.
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He said it's too early to say whether Washington state will take legal action against the Justice Department, but "we're considering all our options."
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session's action would leave it to U.S. attorneys where pot is legal to decide whether to aggressively enforce federal marijuana law.
For the 2017 fiscal year, total legal pot sales in Washington state exceeded $1.3 billion, according to the state Liquor Control Board. The state collected more than $300 million in excise taxes during that time. Halfway through the current fiscal year pot sales have topped $500 million, which have generated more than $100 million in taxes.