Nevada’s new U.S. attorney did not rule out the possibility of prosecuting cases related to marijuana but admitted it wasn’t at the top of the list.
In an interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal, Nevada U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich said he believes drug use and crime go hand in hand.
He went on to say that “marijuana remains illegal under federal law and my job is to enforce federal law.”
The possibility of a federal crackdown on marijuana has loomed ever since Nevada first approved the use of medical marijuana, and in 2016, recreational marijuana.
Marijuana businesses in the state have relied on Obama-era guidance that kept federal authorities at bay, but those were rescinded by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Trutanich said however that one of his main priorities is tackling the opioid crisis. Trutanich said human trafficking is also a top priority for the U.S. Department of Justice.