Congress Votes YES to Protect Legal Marijuana

Originally published at blog.NORML.org

We. Did. It.

For the first time ever, the House of Representatives just voted to restrict the Department of Justice from interfering with the states that have legalized adult-use marijuana.

The importance of this 267 to 165 bipartisan vote on the Blumenauer amendment cannot be overstated. Today, nearly one in four Americans reside in a jurisdiction where the adult use of cannabis is legal under state statute.

Today’s action by Congress highlights the growing power of our movement and the work of NORML leaders all around the country.

“It’s past time we protect all cannabis programs,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, co-founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and lead sponsor of the amendment. “We have much more work to do. The federal government is out of touch and our cannabis laws are out of date. I’m pleased that the House agrees and we are able to move forward.”

Now, we must shift our focus to the Senate and ensure that they do not move to strip out these hard-fought protections.

Make a contribution to our Senate Education Fund right now so we can do a full-court-press and cure those Senators who are suffering from Reefer Madness!

Never in modern history has there existed greater public support for ending the nation’s nearly century-long failed experiment with marijuana prohibition. Now is our time to make our voices heard in the halls of Congress.

Together, we’re going to win this vote, and ultimately end marijuana prohibition from sea to shining sea. Together, we will legalize America.

Onward to more victories,

NORML