Of course, lawmakers in Washington have been busy too, busy trying to catch up on its job. Just before the conclusion of the 2014 Congress, the House and Senate passed a large spending bill intended to fund the U.S. government through Sept. 30 of next year.
Tucked away in this massive $1+ trillion spending bill is big news – the feds have quietly ended their war on medical cannabis, and will no longer enforce federal law in states who have legalized cannabis for medical use.
The LATimes reports:
The bill’s passage over the weekend marks the first time Congress has approved nationally significant legislation backed by legalization advocates. It brings almost to a close two decades of tension between the states and Washington over medical use of marijuana.
Although this has generally been the Obama administration’s policy since last year, the passage of this amendment codifies it into federal law.
What’s amazing about this news is the bipartisan nature – the amendment’s two primary sponsors come from both sides of the aisle – Dana Roharabacher , a Republican, and Sam Farr, a Democrat.
While this news is significant indeed, another amendment to the spending bill looks on track to block the legalization measure passed by DC voters this past November.
Again, from the LA Times:
Even as Congress has shifted ground on medical marijuana, lawmakers remain uneasy about full legalization. A separate amendment to the spending package, tacked on at the behest of anti-marijuana crusader Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), will jeopardize the legalization of recreational pot in Washington, D.C., which voters approved last month.
On the whole though, this signifies a major shift on the part of the Congress and the U.S. at large. Who would have thought 20 years ago, right?