Congress Protects Medical Marijuana From Jeff Sessions In New Federal Spending Bill

Congress keeps straddling the line – refusing to move on comprehensive cannabis law reform, but continuing to protect state medicinal cannabis programs several months to a year at a time. In this case, the agreement, which passed both Houses of Congress since the linked article was published, will buy another six months if signed by the president as expected.

The measure is not what patients or states investing in treatment systems want or need long-term, but many advocates are grateful for small favors, given that the House left the rider out of its bill and AG Sessions has been continuously adamant in his quest to turn cannabis policy back to 1937.

“…patients and businesses that follow state laws will continue to be protected from US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and federal drug agents under a provision contained in new must-pass legislation.

The policy, which has been federal law since 2014, bars the Department of Justice from spending money to interfere with the implementation of state medical marijuana laws. Its continuance was in question, however, after Sessions specifically asked Congress not to extend it and House leaders blocked a vote on the matter.

But the rider is now attached to a bicameral deal to fund the federal government’s operations through the rest of Fiscal Year 2018, which ends on September 30.”

And there’s more possible good news:

“The new bill also continues existing provisions shielding state industrial hemp research programs from federal interference.

In a related move, a bipartisan group of members of Congress is stepping up the push to include the medical marijuana protections in Fiscal Year 2019 spending legislation.”

There’s much more in the linked article (most on its second page)…. ….recommended for keeping up to date….

#MMJ #USpol #10thAmendment #UTpol #PatientsBeforePolitics #TRUCE    

See full article – Congress Protects Medical Marijuana From Jeff Sessions In New Federal Spending Bill