The Rohrabacher-Farr amendment is the medical marijuana industry’s best defense against a federal crackdown.
As we recently reported, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked Congress to ignore the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, which prevents the justice department from targeting any medical marijuana business that is in compliance with state law. Rohrabacher-Farr has to be approved with each Congressional budget.
Earlier this week, the anti-marijuana group, Smart Approach to Marijuana (SAM), claimed that the key medical marijuana protection had been eliminated by Congress.
In a press release the group claimed:
“The Rohrabacher-Farr language was eliminated from the Commerce, Justice, Science bill that funds the Department of Justice, even though it had previously been included in the 2017 base text. In addition, the Financial Services bill retained language preventing Washington, DC from implementing full retail sales and commercialization of recreational marijuana.”
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) was quick to respond.
“The folks at SAM clearly don’t understand the legislative process. Our amendment has never been in the CJS Subcommittee’s bill,” Blumenauer said.
“There is no news here. We are exactly where we thought we would be in the legislative process and look forward to amending the underlying bill once again this year to make sure medical marijuana programs, and the patients who rely on them, are protected. Voters in states across the country have acted to legalize medical marijuana. Congress should not act against the will of the people who elected us,” Blumenauer continued.
Marijuana reform advocate Tom Angell and others tweeted their reaction to the SAM statement:
Project SAM has fewer followers than your typical High School kid on twitter. These idiots exist for media response and fail every time.
— 🔥Adam Eidinger 🌊 (@aeidinger) June 28, 2017
The marijuana industry has been walking on eggshells since Jeff Sessions assumed office. He has taken many opportunities to express his desire to crack down on the marijuana industry. The elimination of Rohrabacher-Farr could give him chance to do so.
Medical marijuana enjoys the support of the vast majority of Americans. Congressional GOP members are already struggling to promote their healthcare plan. Can Congress afford to stand against the will of Americans on yet another issue?
