News
STOP IN THE NAME OF CONGRESS
The excitement of legalization in Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C. was only just beginning in the nationwide cannabis acceptance effort—now, Congress has made a monumental decision to block
he excitement of legalization in Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C. was only just beginning in the nationwide cannabis acceptance effort—now, Congress has made a monumental decision to block federal officials from pursuing cannabis states. Both hemp cultivation and medical cannabis programs are receiving overwhelming support from one of the United States’ highest authorities through the Continuing Resolution Omnibus Spending Bill (referred to as “Cromnibus”) and it’s great news for cannabis fans everywhere.
In the Cromnibus Bill that was released on Tuesday, December 9, available to view at docs.house.gov, there are substantial notes on cannabis that prohibit the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) from interfering with cannabis operations and research. In section 538, the amendment reads: “None of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Justice may be used” in reference 32 states and Washington D.C. (which as of this writing, appears to be temporarily blocked), “to prevent such States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.” Furthermore, Section 539 continues to prevent both the DOJ and DEA from further intervention in hemp, “None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of section 7606 (“Legitimacy of Industrial Hemp Research”) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79) by the Department of Justice or the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“The enactment of this legislation will mark the first time in decades that the federal government has curtailed its oppressive prohibition of marijuana . . .”
The Cromnibus was passed by Congress a week later, and it now stands as a protector of medical cannabis in all 23 states that have legalized the herb for medical use, which includes the other 11 that also approve the use of CBD oil.
California Representative Dana Rohrabacher is one of many who realize how important this move to keep the federal government from intervening with the progression of cannabis actually is, “The enactment of this legislation will mark the first time in decades that the federal government has curtailed its oppressive prohibition of marijuana and has instead taken an approach to respect the many states that have permitted the use of medical marijuana to some degree,” she stated. “This is a victory for so many, including scores of our wounded veterans, who have found marijuana to be an important medicine for some of the ailments they suffer, such as PTSD, epilepsy and MS.”
The DEA has always had its hand in raids against cannabis and hemp operations, both in states with legalized herb and without. Because of the plant’s label as a Schedule 1 substance, it has been targeted without remorse and without any law preventing it from affecting the cannabis industry in a negative way.
Hemp too has received a bad reputation over the past century, but finally got a break with the farm bill, which President Obama signed in February 2014. The farm bill allows the legalization of growing industrial hemp in states that have already legalized the plant.
Although Congress hasn’t whole-heartedly seen the light, so to speak, the CRomnibus was simply a way to address a number of political issues. According to The Huffington Post, last month’s bill is a “last-minute effort by Congress to prevent a government shutdown” before funding expired later that week. It may not be the lifting of prohibition just yet, but it’s one large step ahead for protecting cannabis and the industry.
In comment regarding the historic news, the Drug Police Alliance’s Director of National Affairs Bill Piper recognizes this as the fuel for much change in the near future, “For the first time, Congress is letting states set their own medical marijuana and hemp policies, a huge step forward for sensible drug policy. States will continue to reform their marijuana laws and Congress will be forced to accommodate them. It’s not a question of if, but when, federal marijuana prohibition will be repealed,” Piper stated.
At this point, the single and main concern and struggle for nationwide legalization is the government, so this news of Congress’ recently passed bill certainly bodes well for hopes of change in the near future.
