spending bill Archives - TheJointBlog

President To Sign Federal Spending Bill Protecting State Sanctioned Medical Cannabis Programs

February 17, 2015December 17, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

By Paul Armentano, NORML

House and Senate lawmakers have approved spending legislation that contains a historic provision restricting the Justice Department from interfering with the implementation of state-sanctioned medical cannabis and/or hemp programs. Members of the Senate approved the House version of the bill Saturday night. President Barack Obama indicated Monday that he intends to sign the measure imminently. Specifically, an amendment sponsored by California Reps. Dana Rohrbacher and Sam Farr to the $1.1 trillion spending bill states, “None of the funds made available in this act to the Department of Justice may be used … to prevent … states … from implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.”

Bill to Stop Medical Cannabis and Hemp Raids Passes U.S. Senate, Heads to President Obama

December 15, 2014December 14, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

The United States Senate passed a national spending bill Saturday that includes a provision to defund medical cannabis raids. The House of Representatives approved the bill Friday, meaning the proposal now heads to President Obama, who says he will quickly sign it into law once it reaches his desk.

The provision in the spending bill which defunds medical cannabis raids prohibits the Department of Justice from spending any resources enforcing federal cannabis laws in states that have legalized the plant for medical purposes. A separate provision in the spending bill prohibits the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from interfering with state-authorized hemp research programs.

U.S. House of Representatives Approves Bill That Would Defund Medical Cannabis Raids

December 12, 2014December 12, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

The U.S. House of Representatives late last night gave approval to a massive national spending bill which includes a provision that would prevent the Justice Department or any other U.S. entity from enforcing federal cannabis laws in states that have legalized the plant for medical purposes.

The spending bill, which was approved with a 219 to 206 vote, also includes a provision to prohibit the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from interfering with state-sanctioned hemp research programs. The measure is now up for a Senate vote, which is expected to occur as soon as today.