Accomplishments On Cannabis Reform
Championing Research, Descheduling, and Legalization
As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I am proud to work with my colleagues to advocate for responsible and reasonable cannabis policies at the federal level. More than half of the American population live in states that permit access to some form of medical cannabis. In California, a system of regulations has provided relief to many residents who suffer from various ailments. Unfortunately, the federal ban on cannabis suppresses the ability of states to fully administer their cannabis programs and affects their ability to raise revenue.
Congressman Correa has sponsored and co-sponsored (*) the following legislation:
H.RES. 590: Urges the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct clinical research on the efficacy of treating chronic pain among veterans with cannabis in comparison to opioids
H.R. 5050 - Sensible Enforcement of Cannabis Act: Codifies the protections that were outlined in the now-rescinded Cole Memo
VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act (co-led with HVAC Chair and RM): States the Department of Veterans Affairs has the authority to conduct and support research regarding medicinal cannabis and requires the Department to report to Congress on an annual basis on how it intends to exercise that authority.
*H.R. 5634 - Medical Cannabis Research Act: Increases the number of federally-approved cannabis manufacturers and authorizes VA health care providers to provide recommendations to veterans regarding participation in federally-approved cannabis clinical trials.
*H.R. 1823 – Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act: Permits states to establish their own cannabis regulatory policies and provides for the taxation of cannabis.
*H.R. 975 – Respect State Marijuana Laws Act: Would prohibit the federal government from prosecuting state-compliant individuals and businesses in states that permit either the medical or recreational use and distribution of cannabis
*H.R. 1824 – Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act: Amends the Controlled Substances Act to reduce the gap between Federal and State marijuana policy
*H.R. 1820 – Veterans Equal Access Act: Authorizes Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in state marijuana programs.
*H.R. 1810 – Small Business Tax Equity Act: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow deductions and credits relating to expenditures regarding marijuana sales conducted in compliance with state law.
*H.R. 2920 – CARERS Act: Exempts from federal prosecution those who are engaged in medical marijuana activities if permitted by state law; excludes cannabidiol from the federal definition of marijuana; permits VA doctors to authorize medical cannabis access to qualified patients, and removes undue federal barriers to clinical trial research to better assess the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis.
Congressman Correa has authored the following letters:
To Secretary David Shulkin, Department of Veterans Affairs: This letter asks for clarification of the Department’s policy on medical marijuana usage in states where it is legally prescribed.
To Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Department of Justice: This letter expresses concern with Attorney General Sessions’ decision to rescind the Cole Memo, which has provided guidance for states to pursue reasonable regulation of cannabis, and highlights the negative consequences that order will have for California
To MilConVA Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Dent and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz: This letter urges the inclusion of language in the final report to require that the Department of Veterans Affairs conduct research on the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in treating PTSD and chronic pain.
Congressman Correa has signed onto the following letters:
To Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi: This letter urges congressional leadership to extend the “Rohrabacher-Blumenauer” provision that has been in place since December 2014, which protects “patients, providers, and businesses against federal prosecution, so long as they act within the confines of their state’s medical marijuana laws.”
To Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi: This letter requests the “McClintock-Polis Amendment” language be included in any upcoming funding bill. This language prevents the Department of Justice from using funds from Congress to enforce federal laws on all activities that are legal under state law with regard to cannabis (recreational/medicinal).
To Attorney General Session: This letter urges DOJ to order the DEA toimmediately approve additional registrations for the bulk manufacture of cannabis for exclusively federally approved research purposes
Congressman Correa has cosponsored the following appropriations amendments:
Blumenauer-Rohrabacher: Prohibits the Justice Department from spending funds to interfere with the implementation of state medical cannabis laws.
McClintock-Polis: Prohibits the Justice Department from spending funds to interfere with the implementation of state cannabis laws.
Congressman Correa has sponsored the following briefings:
“Cannabis and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An Assessment of the Evidence and Obstacles in Research” in coordination with the University of California, Irvine
“Perspectives from Local Governments In Implementing New Cannabis Laws” in coordination with the Government for Responsible US Cannabis Policy Coalition
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