In a historic bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to protect state legal marijuana businesses by a 267-165 margin. While the measure reportedly has support from President Trump, it’s not clear whether it can pass the Republican-controlled Senate.
MJBiz
Even if it doesn’t, Canna Law Blog describes the risk to REC businesses as “relatively marginal.“
- The Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment previously offered similar protections to MED only.
- Amendments protecting tribal cannabis programs and VA doctors who prescribe MED also passed in the lower chamber.
- Even if the measure passes, it would only be in effect for a year.
- Legalization supporter Rep. Earl Blumenauer said, “If we were rescheduling drugs today, cannabis probably wouldn’t be scheduled at all, and what would be Schedule I is tobacco.”
Quick Hit
- Democratic presidential candidate and former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper called for federal decriminalization and for the federal government to have a role in regulating the industry. He has said legalizing REC should be up to the states.
C-SPAN (Around 50 minutes in)