The provision, included in a broader budget bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee, would prohibit the Department of Justice from using federal funds to implement any policy change related to the rescheduling of marijuana. The measure effectively freezes the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ability to act on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation to shift cannabis to a less restrictive category.
Republican lawmakers led the charge to insert the block, arguing that the administration is attempting to bypass Congress in what they describe as a substantial policy overhaul. They maintain that such a shift should be legislated rather than handled through executive and administrative actions.
“This administration is trying to radically alter federal drug policy without input from the legislative branch,” one Republican lawmaker stated during the markup session. “We have a responsibility to ensure that decisions of this magnitude are not made unilaterally.”
Opponents of the provision, primarily Democrats, pushed back forcefully. They warned that halting the rescheduling process would not only perpetuate outdated drug laws but also hinder medical research and deny relief to patients who could benefit from cannabis-based therapies. Some lawmakers also emphasized the racial and social justice implications of continuing to treat marijuana as a Schedule I substance alongside drugs like heroin and LSD.
“This is not about condoning or encouraging recreational use,” said one Democratic representative. “It’s about modernizing our drug policy in line with science and reality.”
The rescheduling effort gained momentum last year after HHS publicly acknowledged that marijuana has accepted medical uses and a lower potential for abuse compared to other Schedule I substances. If moved to Schedule III, cannabis would remain federally controlled but would be recognized as having medical value, potentially easing research restrictions and tax burdens for cannabis-related businesses.
However, the inclusion of the funding block in the appropriations bill presents a new hurdle, adding to the political complexities that have long plagued federal marijuana reform. While the full House and Senate must still vote on the measure, the committee’s action underscores the persistent divide in Congress over how to address evolving public attitudes and state-level legalization.
As it stands, over 40 states have legalized cannabis in some form, whether for medical or recreational use. Yet marijuana remains fully illegal under federal law—a contradiction that continues to create uncertainty across legal, financial, and scientific domains.
The road to federal cannabis reform remains long and uncertain, with this latest move highlighting just how contentious and polarized the issue remains within the halls of Congress.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
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