WYOMING — Marijuana offenses occurring on federal land including national parks will be “rigorously prosecuted,” according to a Thursday announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming. The U.S. Department of Justice rescinded its prior guidance for prosecuting simple marijuana possession at the end of September.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming Darin D. Smith has directed federal law enforcement to reverse course after former President Joe Biden’s 2022 pardon of thousands of citizens and lawful permanent residents “who committed the offense of simple possession of marijuana” signalled a potential shift toward decriminalization.
“Marijuana possession remains a federal crime in the United States, irrespective of varying state laws,” Smith said in the announcement. “The detrimental effects of drugs on our society are undeniable, and I am committed to using every prosecutorial tool available to hold offenders accountable.”
As pointed out by WyoFile, marijuana possession remains illegal in Wyoming, but it is legal in neighboring Montana, home to a portion of Yellowstone National Park.
