Congress
House Passes Spending Bill with Cannabis Protections
The protections range from expanding banking access to preventing federal interference in states with legal cannabis, but passage in the Senate is uncertain.
Justice Department Whistleblower Testifies on Attorney General Barr’s Cannabis Bias
An official in the Department’s Antitrust Division said during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that cannabis is “unpopular” with Barr, and therefore he influenced investigations.
DOJ Official: Attorney General Bill Barr Pushed Investigations of Cannabis Acquisitions
An official in the Department’s antitrust division will testify before Congress on Wednesday that Barr’s “personal dislike” of cannabis influenced investigations.
House Coronavirus Bill Includes Cannabis Banking Reform
The SAFE Banking Act has been included in the HEROES Act. Whether the language will survive the Senate is another question.
Pressure Mounts to Consider Cannabis Businesses in Next Coronavirus Relief Bill
Two letters—one signed by cannabis trade groups, the other by groups focused on justice—were sent this week pushing Congress for COVID-19 relief for cannabis businesses.
House Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Allow Cannabis Industry Access to Coronavirus Relief
As cannabis remains federally illegal, state-legal cannabis businesses have been left out of COVID-19 relief funds.
Q&A: A Senator Calls for Coronavirus Relief for Cannabis Businesses
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and others argue that now is a good time for the Small Business Administration to pull out of its “time warp” and help these struggling small firms.
Congress Tackles Medical Cannabis for Veterans
The House Committee on Veterans Affairs voted in support of medical cannabis access and research, sending two bills to the full House.
What’s in the US Food and Drug Administration’s CBD Report to Congress?
The FDA is reopening public comment, collaborating with global regulators on how to handle cannabinoids, and backing research on CBD and “dermal penetration.”
First Congressional Hearing on Cannabis in 2020 Focuses on Research Hurdles
DEA says legislation pending White House approval would pave the way for new, federally-approved research-grade cannabis farms.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo Pumps Brakes on Cannabis Banking Bill
Crapo laid out “significant concerns” about the SAFE Banking Act on Wednesday, suggesting a 2% THC cap on products eligible for financial services.
Legalization Bill Heads Toward House Floor After Historic Vote
The MORE Act, which the House Judiciary Committee passed Wednesday, is the first legalization bill to get a Congressional vote.
Lawmakers Push MORE Act Ahead of House Committee Vote Wednesday
The Act would deschedule and legalize cannabis with strong equity provisions, from expungement to opening up loan programs for small business owners.
Senate Caucus Asks: What Are the Public Health Impacts of Legal Cannabis?
Sen. Diane Feinstein asked if vaping can “bring on death” as lawmakers consider publishing a paper on the health impacts of cannabis.
House Passes Cannabis Banking Bill in Historic Vote
The bipartisan legislation passed 321-103, and now heads to the Senate.
Will the US House Pass the SAFE Banking Act?
Lawmakers say the bill, which has strong bi-partisan support and 206 co-sponsors, has enough votes to pass.