** Shares of Canadian marijuana-related companies including Aurora Cannabis Inc, Canopy Growth Corp, Cronos Group Inc and Aphria Inc fall after U.S. Justice Dept. rescinds policy easing enforcement of federal law pertaining to drug
** Aurora last down 14.8 pct, Canopy down 15.3 pct, Cronos down 12.8 pct, Aphria down 16.8 pct in Thu session
** U.S.-traded ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF, which launched on Dec 26, down 8.8 pct
** Previous policy, outlined in 2013 under Obama administration, left regulation of marijuana largely up to states and localities; by contrast, Attorney General Jeff Sessions a vocal critic of the drug
** Justice Dept. move comes shortly after California law permitting recreational marijuana went into effect on Jan 1; Canopy, Aphria and Aurora shares had hit record highs on Wed
** In 2017, Cronos surged 558.1 pct over previous yr, while Aurora gained 317.4 pct, Aphria grew 271 pct, and Canopy climbed 224 pct
