Republican lawmakers on a key House committee are pushing forward a spending proposal that could halt federal efforts to reschedule cannabis. The move comes shortly after the Trump administration signaled plans to proceed with reclassifying the drug.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science & Related Agencies released draft legislation that includes language designed to block any funding from being used to alter marijuana’s current status under the CSA.
The provision states that no funds provided through the bill could be used to change marijuana’s classification or take it off the federal schedule altogether.
This is not the first time members of the committee have attempted to include such restrictions in federal spending bills. Similar provisions have been introduced in previous years while federal agencies examined potential changes to marijuana policy. However, those earlier efforts did not ultimately become law.
The latest development follows an announcement from the Justice Department indicating that certain cannabis products have already been moved to a less restrictive category. Specifically, marijuana items regulated under state medical programs, along with products approved by the FDA, were moved to Schedule III.
A broader review of marijuana’s classification is expected to be addressed during an administrative hearing scheduled for later this summer.
At the same time, the current appropriations bill retains a long-standing safeguard for state medical marijuana programs. First adopted in 2014, the provision bars the DOJ from using federal funds to interfere with state laws that permit medical cannabis. Over the years, this rider has been renewed repeatedly as part of annual spending legislation.
In a notable update, this year’s version expands its coverage to include Nebraska. Advocates had previously raised concerns that the state was left out of earlier measures despite voters approving medical cannabis legalization in 2024.
The bill also introduces a new clause clarifying that federal authorities may still enforce certain restrictions related to cannabis distribution near schools and other sensitive locations.
Under this addition, the DOJ would retain the ability to pursue cases involving sales or distribution within 1,000 feet of places such as schools, public housing facilities, or playgrounds. This marks the first time such language has been included alongside the broader protections for state programs.
Beyond marijuana, the legislation continues to shield state-led hemp research initiatives from federal intervention, maintaining another policy that has been in place for several years.
The release of the spending bill comes as lawmakers in Congress consider multiple proposals that could delay or modify the rollout of rules affecting hemp-derived THC products.
As this spending bill makes its way through Congress, marijuana companies like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) will be following the debates and any votes cast on the matter.
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