House of Representatives Passes Amendment to Protect State Marijuana Programs

July 30, 2020

Overview

On Thursday, July 30, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of an amendment to protect all state marijuana programs. The amendment builds upon an earlier, similar protection shielding only medical marijuana programs. The provision prevents the Department of Justice from using its funds to enforce against any state’s marijuana laws, or to prevent states from implementing their own laws authorizing the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of marijuana.

This measure is just one in a series of acts designed to relax current federal cannabis restrictions. Earlier in July, the House included a rider in its 2021 spending bill preventing the Treasury Department from punishing banks who finance state-legal cannabis businesses. And the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, intended to deschedule cannabis, will likely go to a floor vote this coming September.

If you have questions about how this amendment affects your cannabis business or would like additional information, contact John Mackewich at 419-346-4155 or at mackewich@marshall-melhorn.com.

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