http://www.buzzfeed.com/jacobfischler/house-votes-to-end-dea-raids-on-legal-medical-marijuana-oper House Votes To End DEA Raids On Legal Medical Marijuana Operations *"Marijuana does not make people commit crime. It makes them overeat," Rep. Steve Cohen said.* The amendment passed 219-189. posted on May 29, 2014, at 9:52 p.m. Jacob Fischler BuzzFeed Staff WASHINGTON -- The House passed an amendment late Thursday night to restrict the Drug Enforcement Administration from targeting medical marijuana operations in states where it is legal. The 219-189 decision came on a bipartisan appropriations amendment spearheaded by California Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher and California Democrat Sam Farr. The amendment still faces several procedural hurdles before it is ratified, but this is the first time such an amendment has succeeded in the House. The vote is an encouraging one for marijuana advocates, who say it shows the congressional pendulum is finally tilting in their favor. "The significance of it is a symbolic importance," said Dan Riffle, director of federal policies at the Marijuana Policy Project. "We are nearing a point now where the United States Congress is essentially ready to end marijuana prohibition." The amendment needed 218 votes to pass. The bipartisan amendment was co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Donald Young, Tom McClintock, Paul Broun, Steve Stockman, and Justin Amash along with Democratic Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Steve Cohen, Jared Polis, Barbara Lee, and Dina Titus. Though the decision is a significant one, there are still many strong voices in opposition to marijuana reform, including those of GOP Reps. Andy Harris of Maryland and John Fleming of Louisiana. "This would be like me as a physician saying, 'I think you need penicillin. Go chew on some mold,'" Harris said while debating the amendment Thursday night. Late Wednesday night, members debated a separate amendment from Fleming that caused tempers to flare on both sides. "We saw 'Reefer Madness' in the thirties, and it has come back to Congress here 80-some-odd years later," Tennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen said. "Marijuana does not make people commit crime. It makes them overeat," he added. Activists say while raids on legal marijuana facilities have slowed down recently, they haven't stopped entirely, including at least one raid in Colorado in 2014. And prosecutions of nonviolent drug offenders continue as well. Currently 22 states and the District of Columbia allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes. Five others don't allow smoking, but do allow CBD oils. US House Votes to Prohibit DOJ From Interfering With State Medical Marijuana or Industrial Hemp Programs by Erik Altieri, NORML Communications DirectorMay 30, 2014 After a long debate that had the US House of Representatives in session until after midnight, the lower chamber of Congress cast a historic 219 to 189 vote to restrict the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration from using taxpayer funds to interfere in state-sanctioned medical marijuana programs. This measure was co-sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Reps. Rohrabacher (R-Calf.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Paul Broun (R-Ga.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Steve Stockman (R-Texas), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). “It would be hard to overstate the importance of tonight’s vote,” said NORML Communications Director Erik Altieri, “Approval of this amendment is a resounding victory for basic compassion and common sense.” The House also approved amendments that prohibit the DOJ and DEA from using funds to interfere with state sanctioned industrial hemp cultivation. These amendments were made to the 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill, which now must be approved by the Senate and then signed by President Obama. LINK: http://blog.norml.org/2014/05/30/us-house-votes-to-prohibit-doj-from-interfering-with-state-medical-marijuana-or-industrial-hemp-programs/

SOURCEs:

1. Article SOURCE = American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC). September 2014 Newsletter * Contact them at 44500 Tide Ave · Arch Cape, OR 97102 or by visiting - www.letfreedomgrow.com

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