Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has promised to reverse cannabis legalization in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska if he becomes president. At a New Hampshire town-hall meeting he said, “If you’re getting high in Colorado today, enjoy it… As of January 2017, I will enforce the federal laws.”
Of course, it’s worthy noting how little the federal government plays in cannabis enforcement, accounting for less than one percent of arrests. As well, constitutionally the federal government cannot overrule the states. So not only is Christie’s stance unconstitutional, it is in the power of every state to nullify unconstitutional laws, including federal intervention into legal cannabis markets.
Additionally, governments cannot stop black markets. By promising to reverse legalization, Christie is promising to send consumers and entrepreneurs back to the black market where organized crime is apt to get involved.