Republicans Present Bill Blocking Cannabis Legalization Without Congressional Approval

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R) and her colleague Senator Steve Daines (R), presented a bill to block cannabis legalization without congressional approval.

What happened: On Thursday Lummis introduced the Deferring Executive Authority (DEA) Act, which aims to give Congress final approval over the legalization of cannabis. 

“Congress makes the laws in this country, not D.C. bureaucrats,” Lummis stated. “The American people through their elected representatives in the Senate and House should have the final say on such a momentous change as the legalization of marijuana. The Biden administration’s rush to reschedule marijuana without compelling scientific evidence appears to be political, not about what’s best for the American people.”

Why it matters: Several weeks ago a top official at the Department of Health and Human Services recommended DEA administrator Anne Milgram reclassify as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

The recommendation came after President Biden requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and HHS review cannabis classification as a Schedule 1 substance.

HHS' recommendation was considered a significant move, possibly setting up the stage for national reform. Some 14 Republican lawmakers, who are against legalization, thought it was important to react. Led by Sen. Jame Lankford, senators and congress members sent a letter to the DEA demanding that it deny an HHS recommendation to reschedule marijuana to a lower-risk Schedule III drug. 

In the letter, the Republican lawmakers argue that “[a]ny effort to reschedule marijuana should be based on proven facts and science — not popular opinion, changes in state laws, or the preferred policy of an administration.”

SAFE Act Is Something Else 

Now, Lummis and Daines, who weren’t among those 14 lawmakers, took things even further in an effort to stop marijuana legalization (at least without Congress’ approval).

While it might come as surprising that Daines who is a co-sponsor of the recently revised Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Act got behind this bill, it should be remembered that he also wasn’t in favor of cannabis legalization in his home state, Montana. 

“While I disagreed with marijuana being legalized in Montana, the people spoke at the ballot box and I respect that decision. However, I am firmly opposed to legalization or descheduling at the federal level without Congressional input,” Daines stated.

Daine’s stance further clarifies that the SAFER Act has nothing to do with federal legalization, while also speaking volumes of the necessity of its passage. 

See Also: Schumer Vows To Fast-Track Newly Revised Cannabis Banking Bill After Sept 27 Vote, Here's What's In It

Read details of the DEA Act here.

Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference 

The DEA Act, SAFER Act and many other important happenings in the industry will be discussed by marijuana experts and veterans at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. The place where deals get done is returning to Chicago this September 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Kindel Media via Pexels, and Wikimedia Commons