Category: Marijuana

Marijuana

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Respect State Marijuana Laws Act

Dana Rohrabacher - Respect State Marijuana Laws Act

United States Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), along with six other Republicans and six Democrats, has reintroduced bipartisan legislation the “Respect State Marijuana Laws Act” to prevent the federal government from criminally prosecuting individuals and/or businesses who are engaging in state-sanctioned activities specific to the possession, use, production, and distribution of marijuana.

HR 975 states, ‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subchapter related to marijuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marijuana.’’

Passage of this Act would halt federal officials from prosecuting individuals and businesses for violating the Controlled Substances Act in the 29 states that permit either the medical or adult use and distribution of marijuana.  According to national polling, 71 percent of voters believe that the federal government should respect these laws and not interfere with them.

Read more about state cannabis law at California Cannabis Law, and find out about proposed changes to California cannabis law with the 2018 California Cannabis Law Legislative Update.

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Congressional Cannabis Caucus

Congressional Cannabis Caucus

With public support for reforming marijuana laws at an all time high, United States Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), and Don Young (R-AK) have formed the first-ever Congressional Cannabis Caucus to promote sensible cannabis policy reform and to ease the tension between federal and state cannabis laws.

“We’re stepping forward together to say we’ve got to make major changes in our country’s attitude toward cannabis,” Rep. Rohrabacher said at the start of the press conference.  “And if we do, many people are going to live better lives, it’s going to be better for our country, better for people, and it makes economic sense at a time when every penny must count for government.”

Several of the leading marijuana lobbying groups and associations such as NORML, the Marijuana Policy Project, the Drug Policy Alliance, and others issued a joint statement commending the lawmakers for forming the Congressional Cannabis Caucus which will allow members from both parties, who represent diverse constituencies from around the country, to join together for the purpose of advancing sensible cannabis policy reform.