GOP Halts Cannabis Sales in Capital, Blocks Job Reforms: What's Next?

The House Rules Committee, a key legislative panel, has rejected amendments that would have permitted cannabis sales in Washington, D.C. and barred cannabis testing for applicants to federal jobs.

What Happened

The amendments, part of the appropriations bill, were not given the green light for floor votes by the GOP-controlled committee, reported Marijuana Moment. This continues a trend where the panel has consistently blocked various cannabis reform measures from reaching the full House for a vote.

The D.C. amendment, put forward by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), aimed to remove a longstanding rider that has prevented the district from using local funds to create a legal cannabis marketplace.

Despite D.C. voters approving legalization in 2014, this rider has been a fixture in budget proposals by leaders from both parties and the President.

Protection For Federal Employees’ Cannabis Use: An Unsuccessful Effort

Another amendment by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) sought to protect federal employees from being tested for cannabis use, a reform initiative he pursued at the city level while mayor of Long Beach.

These actions in Congress reflect an evolving perspective on cannabis and psychedelics as lawmakers and federal agencies begin to consider new approaches to drug regulation and research.

Ongoing Debate Over Federal Cannabis Policy

This decision by the House committee is part of an ongoing legislative conversation around marijuana policies. Prior to this, Congress had also considered two completely opposed amendments, one to safeguard states with legal cannabis programs and another to prevent President Biden from rescheduling cannabis.

Federal Policy Implications On State Cannabis Law And Research

A congressional committee urged the Department of Justice to evaluate the ‘adequacy’ of state cannabis laws and to address obstacles to federal research. 

This push for clarity and scientific understanding signifies the importance of evidence-based policymaking in an era where states are increasingly diverging from federal law regarding drug policy.

The Complex Road To Legalization

The blockage of these recent amendments, especially following the DOJ’s call for research and Ohio voters’ strong support for a marijuana legalization ballot initiative, underscores the often contradictory approach to cannabis regulation at different levels of government in the United States.

Read more at Marijuana Moment.