Amendments Issued to Restrict Funding to States Allowing Kid-Friendly Marijuana Products

HUGE: Amendment Issued to Restrict Funding to States Allowing Kid-Friendly Marijuana Products

(Alexandria, Va) – Today, Arizona Congresswoman Debbie Lesko introduced two Smart Approaches to Marijuana-supported amendments to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill.

The first amendment would restrict funding for states with legal marijuana markets that have no education campaigns on marijuana impaired driving. The second amendment would reduce federal funding in any state with a marijuana market that allows high potency THC products in the form of a candy, soda, chocolate bar, ice cream, or other kid friendly form, as determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Though the House Rules committee voted down the amendments, they represent a new reality wherein lawmakers are wanting to reign in this industry. This is only the beginning and SAM’s govt affairs team looks forward to building support for these commons sense provisions.

Congresswoman Lesko made the following comment concerning the release of these amendments:

“Earlier this year, House Democrats pushed a proposal to eliminate flavored tobacco products that were targeted at children. This amendment echoes that legislation by extending the ban on kid-friendly products to THC products,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “If we are going to ban one product because it is kid-friendly, we must also consider the risks of the other.”

Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of SAM and a former senior drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration, released the following statement in support of Rep. Lesko’s amendments:

“We are thrilled to see such commonsense amendments introduced to the CJS Appropriations bill, which has been previously used as a vehicle for pro-marijuana industry legislation. A host of data show how high potency marijuana products are harmful and how legalization is associated with more marijuana-impaired driving crashes and fatalities. It’s time to hold states accountable. This amendment is just the beginning of our efforts at the federal level to push for more action in promoting public health safety when it comes to the issue of marijuana impaired driving.

“Furthermore, Representative Lesko’s amendments could not be more timely. In the last month, a landmark study was released finding that marijuana legalization and commercialization in Washington State was potentially reversing a decades-long downward trend in teen marijuana use. This industry regularly produces and markets highly potent products featuring up to 99% THC in blatantly kid-friendly forms. As a country, we have cracked down on this practice when it comes to tobacco products, but have allowed Big Marijuana to do so with no oversight. Given the distinctly harmful potential consequences of adolescent marijuana use, the time has come to put an end to this practice.

“With amendments such as these being offered, it’s becoming clear that SAM supporter’s voices are being heard and lawmakers are recognizing the harms of marijuana commercialization.”