House Votes DOJ From Interfering With State Medical Marijuana Programs

Posted by | May 30, 2014 17:07 | Filed under: Good News Planet Politics Top Stories


The House has voted to stop the Justice Department from interfering where states have voted to pass medical marijuana laws.

This measure was co-sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Reps. Rohrabacher (R-Calf.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Paul Broun (R-Ga.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Steve Stockman (R-Texas), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). You can read the full text of the amendment here.

170 Democrats and 49 Republicans voted in favor of the amendment, 172 Republicans and 17 Democrats voted against it. You can view the full vote breakdown here.

“It would be hard to overstate the importance of tonight’s vote,” said NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri, “Approval of this amendment is a resounding victory for basic compassion and common sense.”

Added NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano, “This vote marks one of the first times since the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 that a majority of the members of a chamber Congress have acted in a manner that significantly alters federal marijuana policy.”

“The conflicting nature of state and federal marijuana laws has created an untenable situation,” co-sponsor Rep. Blumenauer said just before the House debate. “It’s time we take the federal government out of the equation so medical marijuana business owners operating under state law aren’t living in constant fear of having their doors kicked down in the middle of the night.”

The House also approved amendments that prohibit the DOJ and DEA from using funds to interfere with state sanctioned industrial hemp cultivation.

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By: EmilyS

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6 responses to House Votes DOJ From Interfering With State Medical Marijuana Programs

  1. arc99 May 30th, 2014 at 17:33

    Wow. Barbara Lee used to be my representative when I lived in Oakland CA.

    Her district covers north Oakland and Berkeley, an area that just might qualify as the most leftist group of neighborhoods in all of the 50 states.

    For her to be co-sponsoring a bill with Steve Stockman, let’s just say that it is entirely possible that the Stanley Cup ice hockey finals this year will be played in Hades.

    good job House, now get your colleagues in the Senate to send this common-sense bill to the President asap.

  2. arc99 May 30th, 2014 at 17:33

    Wow. Barbara Lee used to be my representative when I lived in Oakland CA.

    Her district covers north Oakland and Berkeley, an area that just might qualify as the most leftist group of neighborhoods in all of the 50 states.

    For her to be co-sponsoring a bill with Steve Stockman, let’s just say that it is entirely possible that the Stanley Cup ice hockey finals this year will be played in Hades. Ironically, I now live in one of the few remaining conservative districts in California and another co-sponsor Republican Tom McClintock is now my current representative.

    Common sense to the left of me
    Common sense to the right of me
    Here I am back in the middle with you.

    good job House, now get your colleagues in the Senate to send this common-sense bill to the President asap.

  3. M D Reese May 30th, 2014 at 18:23

    The most surprising part of this story to me is that ANYTHING passed the House.

  4. M D Reese May 30th, 2014 at 18:23

    The most surprising part of this story to me is that ANYTHING passed the House.

  5. Budda May 31st, 2014 at 07:28

    I believe this is another indication that the decriminalization/legalization of cannabis is gaining speed.

  6. Budda May 31st, 2014 at 07:28

    I believe this is another indication that the decriminalization/legalization of cannabis is gaining speed.

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