Washington, DC: For the first time since 2002, the US House of Representatives has failed to agree on an appropriations bill, thereby resulting in a continuing resolution to continue funding federal agencies at current levels until early in the next Congress, and eliminating the opportunity for the Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment to be considered in the current Congress.
The amendment is typically considered by Congress as part of the US Justice Department’s annual appropriations bill.
Last year the bi-partisan amendment, sponsored by Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), gathered 165 votes – the highest total ever recorded in a Congressional floor vote to liberalize marijuana laws.
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, or Keith Stroup, NORML Legal Counsel, at (202) 483-5500.