Marijuana Policy in Congress

With a new administration and a new Congress, MPP is hoping to take big steps forward in 2009. Please visit MPP's action center and take action on new issues in the 111th Congress.

MPP's federal goals for 2009 are to:

• Hold President Obama to his promise to end DEA raids on medical marijuana patients
• Work with the Obama administration to facilitate medical marijuana research
• Build support for federal-level medical marijuana reforms
• Introduce legislation removing criminal penalties for minor marijuana offenses and build support among new members of Congress
• Eliminate funding for the drug czar's wasteful anti-marijuana ad campaign

Recent Legislation

In 2008 and 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives considered three important pieces of legislation regarding marijuana policy:

H.R. 5842: Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act

The bill would have ended marijuana's classification as a Schedule I drug and allowed doctors to prescribe it for medical use. Additionally, this bill would have protected medical marijuana patients who use marijuana legally under state law from arrest and jail.  H.R. 5842 was introduced on April 17, 2008 by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and co-sponsored by Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) along with 22 other representatives.  On April 17, 2008, it was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health.

H.R. 5843: Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008

The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008 marked the first time in decades that Congress has considered removing criminal penalties for marijuana.  Introduced by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), this bill sought to decriminalize the possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana and the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce of marijuana.  On April 28, 2008, H.R. 5843 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment

The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment would have prevented the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical marijuana laws.  Congress failed to pass this legislation in 2007, but it did receive a record number of votes (165; we need a total of 218).

Visit MPP's action center and take action on new issues in the 111th Congress.