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Press Release

Statement By U.S. Attorney John Walsh Regarding Marijuana Enforcement In Colorado

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado will continue to focus its marijuana enforcement efforts on the investigation and prosecution of cases that implicate the key federal public safety interests highlighted in the today’s Department of Justice guidance.   The key federal interests set forth in that guidance are also key interests of the people of Colorado.  Of particular concern to the U.S. Attorney’s Office are cases involving marijuana trafficking directly or indirectly to children and young people; trafficking that involves violence or other federal criminal activity; trafficking conducted or financed by street gangs and drug cartels; cultivation of marijuana on Colorado’s extensive state and federal public lands; and trafficking across state and international lines.    In addition, because the Department of Justice’s guidance emphasizes the central importance of strong and effective state marijuana regulatory systems, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to focus on whether Colorado’s system, when it is implemented, has the resources and tools necessary to protect those key federal public safety interests.  To accomplish these goals, we look forward to closely working with our federal, state and local partners.”

        John Walsh, United States Attorney, District of Colorado

Click here for the Memorandum by Deputy Attorney General James Cole regarding marijuana enforcement guidance: http://go.usa.gov/DCVV

Updated June 22, 2015