Latest Issue of JUSTINFO

The newest issue of JUSTINFO, the electronic newsletter from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, is available at https://www.ncjrs.gov/justinfo/jan0118.html?ed2f26df2d9c416fbddddd2330a778c6=nrdxznobxd-nrooxnhzd. Read the latest news from the Office of Justice Programs' agencies that partner in supporting NCJRS, check on funding opportunities, and link to publications and announcements on upcoming webinars. To subscribe to JUSTINFO, visit https://puborder.ncjrs.gov/listservs/subscribe_JUSTINFO.asp

Justice Department Issues Memo on Marijuana Enforcement

The Department of Justice today issued a memo on federal marijuana enforcement policy announcing a return to the rule of law and the rescission of previous guidance documents. Since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970, Congress has generally prohibited the cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana.

In the memorandum, Attorney General Jeff Sessions directs all U.S. Attorneys to enforce the laws enacted by Congress and to follow well-established principles when pursuing prosecutions related to marijuana activities. This return to the rule of law is also a return of trust and local control to federal prosecutors who know where and how to deploy Justice Department resources most effectively to reduce violent crime, stem the tide of the drug crisis, and dismantle criminal gangs.

"It is the mission of the Department of Justice to enforce the laws of the United States, and the previous issuance of guidance undermines the rule of law and the ability of our local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners to carry out this mission," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "Therefore, today's memo on federal marijuana enforcement simply directs all U.S. Attorneys to use previously established prosecutorial principles that provide them all the necessary tools to disrupt criminal organizations, tackle the growing drug crisis, and thwart violent crime across our country."

Download the Memo

Attorney General Sessions Appoints 17 Current and Former Federal Prosecutors as Interim United States Attorneys

Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced the appointment of 17 federal prosecutors as Interim United States Attorneys pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546.  In a number of United States Attorney’s Offices across the country, First Assistant United States Attorneys are currently serving as Acting United States Attorneys under the Vacancies Reform Act.  However, on Jan. 4, 2018, some of those Acting United States Attorneys will have served the maximum amount of time permitted under the Act.  The appointments announced by the Attorney General today fill these vacancies.

“United States Attorneys lead federal prosecutions across this country, taking deadly drugs and criminals off of our streets and protecting the safety of law-abiding people, as well as representing the United States in civil litigation.” said Attorney General Sessions.  “As a former U.S. Attorney myself, I have seen firsthand the impact that these prosecutors have and it is critical to have U.S. Attorneys in place during this time of rising violent crime, a staggering increase in homicides, and an unprecedented drug crisis."

“That is why, today, I am appointing 17 current and former federal prosecutors to serve as U.S. Attorneys on an interim basis. Each has excellent prosecution skills and the temperament necessary to succeed in this critical role—and they have already proven that with a number of accomplishments on behalf of the American people. I want to thank them for stepping up to take this difficult but noble job.  I also want to thank those First Assistant United States Attorneys who temporarily stepped up to lead their offices as Acting U.S. Attorneys and who are now returning to their roles as First Assistants.”

The Attorney General has appointed the following individuals to serve as Interim United States Attorneys:

Shawn Anderson – Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

Geoffrey Berman – Southern District of New York

Gregory Brooker – District of Minnesota

Craig Carpenito – District of New Jersey

Stephen Dambruch – District of Rhode Island

Richard Donoghue – Eastern District of New York

Dayle Elieson – District of Nevada

Duane Evans – Eastern District of Louisiana

Timothy Garrison – Western District of Missouri

Nick Hanna – Central District of California

Joseph Harrington – Eastern District of Washington

Grant Jaquith – Northern District of New York

Maria Chapa Lopez – Middle District of Florida

Kenji Price – District of Hawaii

Matthew Schneider – Eastern District of Michigan

Gretchen Shappert – District of the Virgin Islands

Alexander Van Hook – Western District of Louisiana