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CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

Commissioner Dave Jones Condemns Attorney General Jeff Session’s Rescission of the Cole Memoranda

News: 2018 Press Release

For Release: January 4, 2018
Media Calls Only: 916-492-3566
Email Inquiries: cdipress@insurance.ca.gov

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones Condemns Attorney General Jeff Session’s Rescission of the Cole Memoranda

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued the following statement today condemning United States Attorney General Sessions' rescission of the Cole Memorandum:

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms Attorney General Jeff Sessions decision to rescind the Cole Memorandum. California voters decided to legalize adult use of cannabis in 2016. I stand with the voters of California in defending California's efforts to legalize cannabis. Attorney General Session's decision to rescind the Cole Memoranda is contrary to the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment, which was recently extended to January 19, 2018. And it is simply contrary to good law enforcement practice for the federal Department of Justice to waste time and resources going after legitimate cannabis businesses and consumers in California. Continuing the War on Cannabis, which swept up tens of thousands of people for non-serious non-violent crimes and threw them into prisons for inordinately long sentences where they were taught to be better criminals, is not being smart on crime. Placing numerous businesses, consumers, and medical patients at risk is not a responsible decision. California should and will litigate to defend its right to legalize and regulate cannabis."

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones



Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.

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