Riders of the Stoned: Senate Considers Illusionary Repeal of Prohibition

http://www.hightimes.com/read/riders-stoned-senate-considers-illusionary-repeal-prohibition



Riders of the Stoned: Senate Considers Illusionary Repeal of Prohibition
By Mike Adams · Tue Oct 13, 2015

A series of federal spending bills were introduced last week by the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Thad Cochran, which include riders aimed at preventing the government from paying U.S. drug enforcers to unleash their wrath against states that have legalized the leaf. However, while the submission of these bills suggests that some folks on Capitol Hill are looking out for the cannabis industry, the reality is that the provisions contained in these documents are likely worthless.

One of the proposed budget restrictions filed by Senator Cochran is essentially regurgitated from a 2014 budget plan that was supposed to prevent the federal government from interfering with states that have legalized medical marijuana. A section of Senate Bill 2131 indicates that it would stop the U.S. Department of Justice from spending tax dollars to bring the heat down on states that have established medical marijuana programs, while another keeps them from sending in the Drug Enforcement Administration to tear down industrial hemp programs.

Both sections of the proposal are attempts to put into action a concrete policy to ensure the Obama Administration keeps true to its word, as outlined in the 2014 Cole memorandum suggesting the DOJ will stay out of the way of states deciding to legalize weed. But the rider must be renewed this year before even a semblance of protection can be maintained.

The second rider—Senate Bill 2130—would allow physicians with the Department of Veterans Affairs to communicate with veterans about medical marijuana. It would also force the VA to make changes to the policy that penalizes veterans simply for testing positive for cannabis, sometimes revoking their painkiller prescriptions. A third rider – Senate Bill 2132 – looks to stop the federal government from cracking down on banks choosing to work with marijuana businesses in legal states. Both of these restrictions have been introduced before, but have never become a reality.