A House committee has introduced a new spending bill aimed at preventing the Justice Department from changing the classification of marijuana. This legislation also seeks to preserve an existing rider that safeguards state medical cannabis programs from federal interference, while incorporating updated language that imposes stricter penalties for marijuana sales occurring near schools and parks.

The House Appropriations Committee has once again included language in the spending measure for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies that is unfavorable to ongoing efforts for marijuana rescheduling.

The proposed legislation aims to prevent the Justice Department from utilizing its financial resources to alter the scheduling of marijuana. During the “Biden” administration, the DOJ suggested reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act but has faced significant delays for several months due to challenges presented by witnesses during administrative hearings.

Text of the provision:

“SEC. 607. None of the funds appropriated or other wise made available by this Act may be used to reschedule marijuana (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)) or to remove marijuana from the schedules established under section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812).”

Read the document here

Read more details here at Marijuana Moment