A key committee of the Republican-controlled House voted on Wednesday to prevent the rescheduling of marijuana.
The House Appropriations Committee inserted language into a spending bill that prevented money from being spent in “rearranged marijuana,” but it is unclear whether the Trump administration plans to take the issue to prevent any action.
President Donald Trump said the administration is “focusing” on proposals to downgrade marijuana under federal law in the Biden era after the cannabis industry struggles to attract the White House.
But despite his own party’s opposition, he would do so.
House Republicans oppose marijuana rescheduling
These include members of Congress about House appropriations, such as U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican and a staunch enemy of marijuana reform.
Harris and his Republican colleagues voted on September 10 to approve the spending bill for business and justice, science, and related institutions.
Section 607 of the Expenditure Act states:
“No funds granted by this Act or otherwise provided for cannabis (as defined in Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act) or remove cannabis from plans under Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 USC 812).
The scope of the budget provision is similar to a well-admitted measure that prohibits the Justice Department from spending money to enforce federal laws on medical marijuana actions that comply with state laws.
The Appropriations Committee approved the bill by 34 to 28 votes.
It needs to be passed through the whole house and approved by the Senate before it becomes law.
Does Donald Trump support rescheduling of marijuana?
It is unclear what actions Trump plans to take to reschedule marijuana.
The president retreated or canceled many Biden-era initiatives.
Just this week, Attorney General Pam Bondi took measures to formally remove the Biden-era approach to study marijuana and limit restrictions around marijuana testing.
But the cannabis industry has been carefully nurturing the president and promoting White House support through donations and other efforts.
