plan of action - september 7, 2017

Protection for Lawful
Medical Marijuana Programs


Federal law still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, on the same level as heroin, and a step worse than cocaine, which is merely Schedule 2. Schedule 2 drugs are allowed to be prescribed for medical conditions, but the DEA has refused to reclassify marijuana as Schedule 2. The federal prohibition of marijuana is in direct conflict with the laws of states which have decriminalized or legalized its use. The rights of marijuana users, producers, and sellers in these states are potentially threatened by federal enforcement, and it is especially important that those who rely on medical marijuana to deal with a variety of health problems are not prevented from or punished for using the drug.

The Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment is a provision to prevent the Department of Justice from interfering with state laws permitting the use of medical marijuana. The amendment was added to a spending bill and is in force through September 30 of this year.  The amendment will then need to be reauthorized.

Action:

Contact your Member of Congress and ask that the Rohrabacher- Blumenauer amendment language be included in any future spending bill in order to protect the state-mandated rights of medical marijuana users.
OR
Use the NORML site page, which will give you a form letter to email to your Member of Congress after you fill in your name and address.