President-elect Donald Trump on Friday appointed Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., as Attorney General, and his decision is causing alarm among marijuana advocates and civil rights groups in the Bay Area.
“The ACLU and other civil rights organizations have contested Mr. Sessions’ positions, including LGBT rights, abortion rights, capital punishment, and the scope of presidential authority in times of war,” said Julia Mass with the ACLU.
ACLU officials say they are not confident that Sessions will uphold the constitutional rights of all Americans.
“He has a troubling past of making racists comments,” Mass said.
The senate rejected a federal judgeship for Sessions 30 years ago after accusations of racism surfaced.
But supporters say he voted to extend the Voters Rights Act and confirmed Eric Holder.
But Bay area medical and recreational marijuana advocates are concerned Sessions will shut down the budding industry – right after California voters legalized recreational marijuana on Nov. 8.
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“The concern is we are going to re-stigmatize this group and re-criminalize this group,” said Amanda Reiman with Drug Policy Alliance.
For his part, Sessions said he is ready to serve.
He will need a vote of approval from the Senate. Democrats and some Republicans would have to vote against him to block the appointment.
