Committee Approves Bill to Block Cannabis Rescheduling

GOP Committee Approves Bill to Block Cannabis Rescheduling and Rejects State Cannabis Protections Amendment

A key GOP-led House committee has approved a spending bill that blocks the Justice Department from rescheduling cannabis. The bill also amends a rider protecting medical cannabis states from federal interference by adding penalties for sales near schools and parks. An amendment to extend protections to all state and tribal cannabis programs was rejected.

During the House Appropriations Committee hearing, the panel passed the bill covering Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) with these cannabis provisions. The bill prevents the Justice Department from using funds to reschedule or Deschedule cannabis, amid an ongoing process to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

A Democratic-led amendment to strike the rescheduling provision was defeated. GOP senators had previously attempted to block cannabis rescheduling in a standalone bill, but it lacked a hearing or vote. Including the ban in annual spending legislation is a tactic to advance the issue, though the Democratic-controlled Senate’s approval is uncertain.

The bill retains a rider preventing the DOJ from interfering with state medical cannabis programs, with added language for increased penalties for cannabis distribution within 1,000 feet of schools, colleges, playgrounds, or public housing. An amendment to prevent DOJ interference in any state or tribal cannabis programs, proposed by Rep. Barbara Lee, was also defeated.