Historic Federal Vote Protects and Defends Cannabis Legalization

In what has been immodestly heralded as an historic vote, the House of Representatives by an overwhelming margin of 267 to 165 voted to approve an amendment protecting the laws in states that have legalized marijuana to the multi-billion dollar super large-scale Appropriations bill that funds major parts of the federal government for Fiscal Year 2020.

This amendment denies funding to the Dept. of Justice to enforce federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized not just medical marijuana, as it has done since 2014, but expands the funding prohibition to all states that have legalized marijuana for any use. Most notably the amendment received more “yes” votes than the 2015 amendment protecting only medical cannabis states.

Almost all Democrats supported the amendment with only eight voting in opposition. While the majority of Republicans voted against the amendment to deny funding to the DOJ, 41 GOP members supported it.

Not only does this amendment extend the enforcement ban to Washington DC and U.S. Territories like Guam, but in a separate bill passed the following day, the House approved a similar amendment protecting the cannabis laws of Indian tribes. It is interesting to note that this amendment was passed on a voice vote as no member called for a roll call vote.

Additionally, Democrats excluded a longstanding rider from the Appropriations’ bill which prevented Washington, D.C. from using its own local tax dollars to implement a legal marijuana sales program that had been approved by DC voters in 2014.

The rider preventing Washington D.C. from setting up a voter approved distribution program had been authored in previous years by Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD). The anti-cannabis congressman bitterly responded to the rider not being included complaining “we’re not in charge anymore,” presumably referring to the Republican Party's loss of control of the House in last year’s midterm elections.

To make up for the rider not being included, the congressman introduced legislation to prohibit the decriminalization of sex work in D.C. Like his rider, it was also rejected during an Appropriations Committee hearing. Hmmm - are Democrats in favor of allowing local governments to decriminalize prostitution? Just which party is the party truly protecting states’ rights?

Of course passing in the House does not guarantee its passage into law. It still remains to be seen how the Senate will approach the appropriations amendments when that chamber takes up its version of this massive funding bill over the next several weeks.

The Senate through a coalition of almost all Senate Democrats and about a fourth of Senate Republicans had gotten the amendment approved in previous years when it only protected medical marijuana. With the amendment now protecting medical and adult-use of marijuana, the opposition may get stronger.

The key player will be Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell. He is an old-line drug warrior that has always supported War on Drugs legislation including marijuana prohibition. He did vote in favor of the bill allowing farmers to cultivate hemp as he knew it would be a boon for Kentucky farmers who have seen their farming income from tobacco significantly decline. If it’s about money for farmers who vote for him, he will throw his decrepit principles under the bus.

It is interesting to note that last year when the House passed the First Step Act, the first federal criminal justice law reform legislation in just about forever, McConnell claimed there wasn’t enough time to bring the bill to the floor. His claims of not enough time were bogus and showcase his antagonism to any criminal justice reform legislation, let alone marijuana law reform, even when the reform is supported by a bi-partisan coalition of Senators. This is not a good omen for the amendment passed by the House denying funding to the DOJ to enforce federal marijuana law in states that legalized its use.

All hope should not be lost. Since marijuana legalization is now supported by a majority of Americans including Republicans, there is always the possibility that McConnell and other Senate Republicans might come to their senses especially when they recognize that stakes for Republicans in the Senate for being re-elected are very problematic. In 2020 there will be 20 Republicans up for re-election and only 12 Democrats almost the reverse of 2018 when 26 Democratic Senate seats were up for election and only 9 Republicans.

It was the fear of losing votes by those Republicans up for re-election in 2020 that played a major role in McConnell suddenly finding the time in 2018 to allow the First Step Act to be voted on and passed on the Senate floor. It may very well be the same fear that will motivate McConnell to allow the Appropriations bill with the DOJ defunding amendment to be voted on and passed.

Then of course there is our mercurial President Trump. My hunch is that he will sign it - just like the First Step Act which he signed. Even though he had nothing to do with it, he now highlights the bill as one of the notable achievements of his administration - at least when speaking to minority audiences. I am sure that after signing the Appropriations bill with the DOJ cannabis defunding amendment, he will tweet grandiose statements taking full credit for the amendment even though he had nothing to do with it either.

He will do this not because he gives a damn about marijuana legalization, but rather because it is not an issue that motivates his all-important base – at his rallies they neither chant “free the weed” or “lock tokers up.”

THE Cannabis Celebration Event

Sales, Consumption, Entertainment, Music, Seminars and FUN

A wonderful and exciting summertime cannabis event is taking place at The State of Cannabiz 2019 Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, August 10 at the Adelanto Sports Stadium, 12000 Stadium Way, Adelanto CA 92301.

The all-day event is a tribute to the recreational and medical uses of cannabis highlighting its use for health, socialization and celebration. It’s a fun event that recognizes the importance of cannabis in our modern day lives. Geared more to a slightly older crowd then other cannabis celebratory events, the 2019 Health and Wellness Fair welcomes adults 21 & over, seniors, medical patients, veterans and other cannabis consumers to join in for a day of art, music, meditation, seminars, food and of course cannabis.

Yes cannabis can be consumed and purchased in all its many forms - flowers, edibles, vapes, topicals, tinctures, concentrates and more. Spend the day with your friends and make new ones as you visit the many booths featuring your favorite cannabis products, enjoy the music, activities and educational workshops all the while consuming your favorite herb in a safe and welcoming environment.

Music and entertainment is provided all day beginning at 12 noon including a comedy show at 4 p.m. The event’s entertainment culminates at 5:30 p.m. with a special performance by QUNTO SOL, one of the best of the Border Bands - A border band is a band that lives on or near the international border, where the duality of their location influences the music they create. Fusing elements of blues and reggae, and inspired by the sound of the Americas, Africa and the Caribbean, the sound of QUINTO SOL is as unique as it is diverse.

I am really looking forward to the workshops and seminars as I will be the moderator introducing the speakers and their topics ranging from health, wellness, fitness and nutrition to the latest bio-science technologies, innovation, products and consumer trends.

Not only will you have a great time, but it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to attend – general admission is only $25 and $20 for seniors, medical marijuana patients and veterans PLUS you get an additional 20% discount off your admission price by clicking on PROMO CODE on the order page and entering the promo code MAPP. CLICK HERE to order your tickets and save now.

With each admission you get a free swag bag with lots of swag and a ticket for the raffle where you can win great prizes.

If you have never been to a licensed cannabis consumption event, then don’t miss the opportunity to come to one of the best. If you have been to one before, you know how much fun they are and you won’t want to miss this one.

Mark your calendar and save money by ordering your tickets now. Just CLICK HERE or go to www.stateofcannabiz.com

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