A bipartisan group of US Senators on March 10 announced legislation to end the federal ban on medical marijuana. The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act is sponsored by senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). If passed, the bill would end the federal restriction on medical marijuana and allow for several comprehensive reforms, including: permission for limited interstate transport, an expansion of access to cannabis for research purposes, and reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to II. Medical marijuana, and the right of states to determine how to regulate it, has found bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. (Jurist, March 10)
A budget measure passed in December included a provision to protect medical marijuana businesses from federal law enforcement, but the new law would represent a much bigger policy shift. Along with the changes to the federal classification of marijuana, the measure would allow VA doctors to prescribe the drug to veterans. The bill would also remove CBD extracts from the federal definition of marijuana. (Fusion, March 10)
Graphic: DRCNet
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Federal bill to end cannabis prohibition?
The “Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2015” was introduced to Congress this week by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California. It would provide immunity against federal prosecution for individuals and businesses abiding by state marijuana laws. (High Times)