Fact Check: False Claims Circulate About Trump Closing Liquor Stores and Banning Cannabis

Unsubstantiated claims that President Donald Trump plans to close all liquor stores and ban cannabis after November 1 have spread rapidly across social media platforms in recent days. These rumors, which coincide with concerns about the government shutdown and potential interruptions to food assistance programs, have no basis in fact, according to available evidence.

The identical claim – “Trump Said He Closing ALL Liquor Stores & Banning Weed After Nov 1st” – has appeared on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads, generating significant engagement despite lacking any official source or verification.

No government announcement has been made regarding plans to shut down liquor stores or prohibit cannabis beginning November 1. These assertions appear to have emerged spontaneously within the last few days and have gained traction despite the absence of corroborating information from the White House or other government agencies.

The constitutional reality further undermines these claims. The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution explicitly places the regulation of alcoholic beverages under state jurisdiction. This constitutional provision would make it virtually impossible for a president to unilaterally announce a nationwide closure of liquor stores without pursuing a constitutional amendment – a complex process that could not be accomplished during a government shutdown.

“Section 2 of the Twenty-First Amendment authorized the states to regulate or prohibit alcoholic beverages within their jurisdictions for legitimate, non-protectionist purposes, such as health or safety,” according to the U.S. Constitution.

Regarding cannabis, while it remains illegal under federal law, giving the executive branch theoretical authority to enforce those restrictions, there has been no official communication from President Trump or his administration indicating plans to crack down on states that have legalized recreational or medicinal cannabis use.

The timing of these rumors coincides with legitimate concerns about the impact of the government shutdown on federal assistance programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that federal food aid will not be distributed starting November 1.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” states a notice on the USDA website. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”

This interruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) comes after the Trump administration decided against utilizing approximately $5 billion in contingency funds that could have maintained benefits into November. SNAP currently provides grocery assistance to approximately one in eight Americans.

The convergence of actual government shutdown consequences with unfounded rumors about liquor and cannabis restrictions highlights the challenging information environment surrounding high-stakes political situations. Social media users have responded to the liquor store claims with a mix of concern and skepticism, with some commenters indicating they would stock up on alcohol in response, while others questioned the legitimacy of the information.

This situation underscores the importance of verifying claims through official government sources and recognizing the constitutional and legal frameworks that govern federal authority, particularly during periods of political transition and government funding disruptions.