Spending Bill Prevents Funding for Medical Marijuana Raids

A federal spending bill released late Tuesday includes an amendment that would prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using any funds to undermine state medical marijuana laws.

The spending bill also includes a bipartisan amendment that prohibits the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from blocking implementation of a federal law that allows hemp cultivation for academic and agricultural purposes in states that allow it.

The Rohrabacher-Farr amendment was introduced and approved earlier in May by the House and is included in the 1,603-page spending bill. The bill will prevent the DOJ and DEA from targeting patients and providers in the more than 20 states with some form of medical marijuana program.

“This is a great day for patients and for public safety,” said Major Neil Franklin (Ret.), executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. “Congress has finally listened to the vast majority of Americans who believe the federal government has no right to interfere in the personal decision to use medical marijuana made by a patient in consultation with his or her doctor. Law enforcement never should have been a part of that decision and if this amendment passes, they no longer will.”

However, the bill also includes a provision that could block Washington, DC from implementing an initiative to legalize marijuana, which voters approved in November by a margin of 70 percent to 30 percent. It is still unclear how the passing of this bill would affect the measure to legalize small amounts of marijuana for personal use in DC, but the Drug Policy Alliance said that it urges the DC Council to side with voters and transmit the initiative to Congress regardless.

Before the bill becomes law, it must be approved by the full House and Senate and then signed into law by President Obama. The congressional votes are expected later this week.

Last updated: 12/11/14; 10:25am EST