Now it’s up to the Senate, and you can help.

Several big measures have been put forth by the House of Representatives in the past 24 hours. Here is a quick rundown of the key provisions and how you can help:

Protections for legalization programs
The House voted to protect state legalization programs from federal law enforcement. The Blumenauer-McClintock-Norton amendment was added to a budget bill called the CJS, which received a huge vote in support (254-163). Thanks to all those who reached out to their lawmakers! The bill now goes to the Senate. Click here to send a message to your Senators in support of this measure.

Access to banking
Cannabis businesses need access to the banking system, and social equity businesses, in particular, need resources. Key language was added to a funding package that passed the House on a vote of 217-197. This would be a huge help for businesses and would keep costs down for consumers. Click here in support of this key measure to allow cannabis businesses to access banks.

Research
Also part of the funding package that passed the House, an education rider would allow colleges and universities to use state-legal cannabis for research. Importantly, this sidesteps many of the limitations imposed by the FDA and DEA that can keep researchers from getting cannabis to study. Click here to support better access for cannabis research.

D.C.
Today, the District of Columbia is prevented from creating a regulatory system for adult-use cannabis, despite what residents clearly want. The House vote would remove that blockage, opening the door for a better system in our nation’s capital. We want to make sure that ban isn’t reinserted by lawmakers in the Senate. Click here to get that message to your Senators.

Much is happening as lawmakers meet the many challenges of COVID-19. Unfortunately, many of these provisions are likely to be opposed in the Senate, so we are asking for your help. Please take a moment to reach out to your lawmakers and make your voice heard. Then, you can help by forwarding this message to your contacts. And stay tuned!

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The House Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to continue blocking the Justice Department from interfering in state medical marijuana laws.

On a voice vote, the committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. David Joyce (R-OH) to the base FY2019 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, prohibiting the Justice Department from using funds to interfere in the implementation of state laws that allow the cultivation, distribution, and use of marijuana for medical purposes. The bill will now be considered by the full House.

Such a provision has been in effect since 2014, but this is the first time it has been added to the base CJS Appropriations bill in committee. In previous years, the measure, which was known as the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment (and subsequently the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment), was added to the bill as a floor amendment, but last year Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) blocked it from receiving a floor vote.

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