Medical Marijuana Zone

The governors of 24 states and U.S. territories sent a letter to congressional leaders on Thursday calling on lawmakers to pass legislation that would permit financial institutions to provide banking services to the regulated cannabis industry. The letter from the bipartisan group of two dozen governors seeks passage of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) […]

Congress to Hold Hearing on ‘Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for Reform’ | Mason Tvert WASHINGTON — The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will hold a hearing next Wednesday, July 10, on “Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for Reform.” The hearing is scheduled to begin at […]

Congress to Hear Testimony Tomorrow Challenging Marijuana Criminalization | NORML WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, July 10th at 10am, members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will hear expert testimony challenging the federal government’s failed policy of cannabis prohibition. The hearing, entitled “Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for […]

Congress: New House Rules Chairman Pledges to Allow Floor Votes on Marijuana-Related Amendments | Paul Armentano WASHINGTON, DC — Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern says that he will permit federal lawmakers to debate and vote on marijuana-related amendments when he assumes control of the House Rules Committee in 2019. “Unlike my predecessor, I’m not going […]

Congress Legalizes Industrial Hemp Through the 2018 Farm Bill | Americans for Safe Access WASHINGTON, DC — The House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed legislation that legalizes industrial hemp, the H.R. 2, Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 87-13 and the House by a […]

Congress Lifts Longstanding Ban on Industrial Hemp Production | NORML House and Senate lawmakers have approved legislation, The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka ‘The Farm Bill’), which for the first time includes provisions lifting the United States’ centuries-long prohibition on domestic, commercial hemp production. President Trump is anticipated to sign the bill into law […]

Here Comes Hemp: Congress Votes to Unchain a Billion-Dollar Industry | Phillip Smith WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate on Tuesday and the House on Wednesday gave final approval to the massive 2018 Farm Bill, including a provision that will end an eight-decade ban on industrial hemp, that non-psychoactive but extremely useful member of the cannabis family. […]

The ‘Respect State Marijuana Laws Act’ Reintroduced In Congress | NORML WASHINGTON, DC — United States Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), along with six other Republicans and six Democrats, has reintroduced bipartisan legislation, ‘The Respect State Marijuana Laws Act,’ to prevent the federal government from criminally prosecuting individuals and/or businesses who are engaging in state-sanctioned activities specific […]

In the Time of Trump, Can Congress Take the Lead on Marijuana Policy? | Phillip Smith While the marijuana community — consumers, industry, and advocates alike — eyes with trepidation the reign of avowed anti-pot Republican Jeff Sessions at the Justice Department, the Trump executive branch isn’t the only game in town when it comes […]