Trump DOJ Resumes Cannabis Prosecutions on Federal Lands

The Trump administration has quietly reversed course on cannabis enforcement, directing federal prosecutors to resume “rigorous” prosecution of simple marijuana possession on federal lands—including America’s most beloved national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The policy shift, announced November 13, 2025, marks a dramatic departure from Biden-era guidance that had curtailed such prosecutions.

If you’re planning to visit a national park, national forest, or any federal land with cannabis in your possession, this news directly affects you. Here’s everything you need to know about this major policy reversal, what it means for cannabis users, and how Congress is pushing back.

On September 29, 2025, the Department of Justice quietly sent a memo to federal prosecutors across the country rescinding previously unpublicized Biden-era guidance that had advised against prosecuting people for simple marijuana possession on federal lands. The public only learned about this change on November 13, when Wyoming U.S. Attorney Darin Smith announced his office would begin “rigorously” enforcing cannabis laws.

“Marijuana possession remains a federal crime in the United States, irrespective of varying state laws,” U.S. Attorney Darin Smith stated in an official press release. “The detrimental effects of drugs on our society are undeniable, and I am committed to using every prosecutorial tool available to hold offenders accountable.”

Understanding the shift requires comparing how each administration approached cannabis enforcement on federal lands. The contrast is stark and has immediate implications for millions of Americans who visit national parks each year.

The administration’s position is clear. A spokesperson for the Wyoming U.S. Attorney’s Office told reporters that “the Trump administration believes cannabis use is a public safety hazard”—language that signals a fundamental shift in how the federal government views marijuana, regardless of state-level legalization.

Notably, neither the DOJ memo nor the prior Biden-era guidance has been made publicly available. The policy change happened behind closed doors, with no announcement to Congress or the public until U.S. Attorney Smith’s press release nearly seven weeks later.

The policy reversal has sparked immediate pushback from Congress. On November 21, 2025, Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, sent a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing “deep concern” over the DOJ’s new enforcement guidance.

“Simple marijuana possession poses no meaningful threat to public safety, and it is indefensible to revive prosecution under an outdated law that no longer reflects the current use of cannabis in the United States,” Titus wrote in her letter.

Titus has set a deadline of December 3, 2025 for the administration to provide a copy of the DOJ memo and answer her questions about enforcement priorities.

Understanding which lands fall under federal jurisdiction is critical. Even if you live in a state where cannabis is fully legal, federal law supersedes state law on federal property. Here’s what you need to know:

The federal government manages approximately 640 million acres of land in the United States—about 28% of the nation’s total land area. Western states like Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Alaska have particularly high percentages of federal land, making this policy change especially impactful for residents and visitors in those regions.

While the DOJ pushes forward with enforcement, the parallel effort to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III remains in limbo. The rescheduling process, which began under the Biden administration, has stalled under Trump.

The White House has confirmed that the rescheduling review is “ongoing,” but provided no timeline. Trump himself has sent mixed signals, telling reporters in August that “some people hate the whole concept of marijuana” while also claiming his administration is “looking at reclassification.”

Whether you’re a medical cannabis patient, a recreational user from a legal state, or just someone who enjoys nature, this policy change has real consequences. Federal cannabis possession charges can result in fines, jail time, and a permanent criminal record.

The cannabis industry and reform advocates have responded with sharp criticism of the policy reversal, calling it a misuse of federal resources and out of step with public opinion.

With 24 states having legalized recreational cannabis and 38 states allowing medical use, critics argue the federal government is increasingly out of step with both state laws and public sentiment.

Several developments in the coming weeks could shape how this policy unfolds:

1. December 3, 2025: Deadline for DOJ to respond to Rep. Titus’s letter demanding policy documentation
2. Ongoing: DEA interlocutory appeal on rescheduling awaiting resolution
3. Pending: House legislation to block DOJ from rescheduling cannabis
4. Unknown: Whether other U.S. Attorney offices will follow Wyoming’s lead with public announcements
5. 2026: Potential for cannabis to become a midterm election issue as enforcement expands

The coming months will reveal whether this is a Wyoming-specific crackdown or the beginning of a broader federal enforcement campaign. Either way, cannabis users should exercise extreme caution on all federal lands.

This policy reversal highlights the ongoing tension between state cannabis legalization and federal prohibition—a conflict that has only grown more pronounced as more states embrace reform.

Until federal law changes, this patchwork of conflicting regulations will continue to create confusion and legal risk for cannabis users who cross the invisible lines between state and federal jurisdiction.

The Trump administration’s decision to resume cannabis prosecutions on federal lands represents a significant shift in federal drug policy. While 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis and public support for legalization continues to grow, the federal government is now moving in the opposite direction.

For cannabis users planning to visit national parks, national forests, or other federal lands, the message is clear: leave your cannabis at home. The legal risk is real, and federal prosecutors have been explicitly directed to enforce these laws.

We’ll continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as Congress receives responses from the DOJ and as other U.S. Attorney offices clarify their enforcement positions.

Stay informed, stay safe, and know your rights when it comes to cannabis and federal law.

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