By Steven Nelson | US News & World Report
The $1.1 trillion federal spending package unveiled Tuesday evening after backdoor negotiations would end the federal crackdown on state-sanctioned medical marijuana, but also contains language appearing to block legalization of the drug in the District of Columbia.
Lawmakers must pass the package negotiated by Congressional leaders by Thursday to avoid a partial government shutdown. There’s no indication it will be voted down.
The medical marijuana-protecting language replicates the so-called Rohrabacher amendment, which passed the House in a surprisingly broad 219-189 vote on May 30.
The reform, authored by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., would ban the Department of Justice from using appropriated funds to target medical marijuana in states that permit it.
Comment by Rose Law Group Partner Ryan Hurley: “Finally we have some common sense from Congress regarding medical marijuana. With nearly 80% of the public in favor of letting states decide the issue of medical marijuana, this reform to prevent funds from being used to prosecute patients and their providers is long over due.”
