U.S. House Votes to Prevent Government from Interfering with State Medical Cannabis Laws
With a 242 to 186 vote, the United States House of Representatives has approved an amendment to a federal spending bill that would prevent the federal government from interfering with state-sanctioned medical cannabis programs.
The amendment, introduced by Representatives Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Sam Farr (D-CA), was added to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. It explicitly prohibits the Department of Justice, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), from using any funding to interfere in the implementation of laws legalizing medical cannabis at the state-level.
A similar amendment was added to a separate federal spending bill passed by lawmakers in December, though that provision is set to expire later this year, making this new amendment necessary.
The House narrowly voted down a broader amendment that would prevent the government from interfering with any state-sanctioned cannabis legalization program, not just medical cannabis. The vote was 206 to 222.
– TheJointBlog
scott
the 186 nay voters in the house need to be replaced in 2016. It’s time we the people tell these politicians that the majority wants it legalized ( over 80% want medical cannabis legal). We the people in Colorado got the ball rolling. if the 186 are replaced then the second broader amendment would of been passed like the majority of voters want. By the way ever happened to the 2 bills in Feb total decriminalization and deschedule federally or the bills introduced in March to re-schedule cannabis federally??????????????
David M
Great! Washington State just killed it’s 1998 medical marijuana law in favor of recreational store political payback’s What a stupid place.
David M
Great! Washington State just killed it’s 1998 medical marijuana law in favor of recreational store political payback’s What a stupid place.
David M
Does Washington still legally qualify as a “medical marijuana State” under State Law 5052? Will Washington be afforded the same legal protections as other more traditional medical marijuana States, or does 5052 being “recreational” exclude it’s inclusion as such ? Does the Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment apply to Washington I guess is my question ? All Washington medical marijuana patients and care-taker’s need to know the answer. Thanks!