More Than Half of All States Have Some Kind of Medical Marijuana Law
Support for Changing Federal Law at Unprecedented Level in Congress
As early as this Thursday the U.S. House could vote on a bipartisan amendment to the Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill that would prohibit the federal government from wasting taxpayer money interfering with state medical marijuana laws. The amendment is being offered by five Republicans and five Democrats.
A vote several weeks ago on allowing Veterans Administration doctors discuss medical marijuana with their patients received 195 yes votes. Support for letting states set their own marijuana policy without federal interference is rising quickly.
“This vote is about letting states help their citizens without interference from out-of-control federal agencies,” said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA). “Members of Congress have an opportunity to both protect the patient/doctor relationship and save taxpayer money.
"No person should have to fear being arrested for following the advice of their doctor,” Piper said.
The amendment is being sponsored by Reps. Rohrabacher (R-CA), Farr (D-CA), Young (R-AK), Blumenauer (D-WA), McClintock (R-CA), Cohen (D-TN), Broun (R-GA), Polis (D-CO), Stockman (R-TX), and Lee (D-CA).
