In a letter to President Donald Trump, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged the president to protect state-approved medical cannabis programs by supporting the continued inclusion of the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer with the federal budget.
The amendment, formally known as Rohrabacher-Farr, prevents the federal government from using funds to crackdown on state-legal medical cannabis regimes; however, while the amendment was included in the Continuing Budget Resolution to prevent a government shutdown, it was blocked from consideration by the House during budget negotiations. The funding mechanism, along with Rohrabacher-Blumenauer protections, expire on Jan. 19 – unless included in the budget process moving forward.
“This exposes state actors and state-sanctioned agents to potential federal criminal liability despite their adherence to state law which was approved by our legislature and signed into law. If this were to take place, it would be devastating to so many men, women, and children who are anxiously awaiting access to this treatment option.” – Gov. Edwards in letter to President Trump
The amendment is currently the only protection for state-approved cannabis programs following the decision by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rescind the Obama-era Cole Memo. Louisiana’s medical cannabis program is expected to roll out this summer.