Today Congresswoman Dina Titus announced her cosponsorship of a package of bills in support of Nevada’s medical marijuana law. Together these bills preserve states’ rights and ensure that individuals and businesses following the laws of the State of Nevada, and other states where marijuana use is legal, are protected from federal prosecution. In addition, the Congresswoman is joining with a bipartisan group of Members to urge the Appropriations Committee to ensure the Department of Justice is not wasting tax-payer dollars prosecuting lawful marijuana users in states where it is legal.

“State adoption of marijuana laws and accompanying regulations has created a legal patchwork of conflicting state, local, and federal statutes. As a result, there is a great deal of uncertainty and confusion for Nevadans and residents of other states where marijuana use is legal,” said Titus. “As more states move toward legalizing marijuana use, it is important that Congress address these issues to ensure consumers and businesses are protected and states’ rights are preserved.”

The legislative package includes:

•      H.R. 1523; Respect State Marijuana Laws Act introduced by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). This bipartisan legislation protects users and businesses from federal prosecution if operating within state laws. 

•      H.R. 710; Truth in Trials Act introduced by Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA). This bipartisan bill would protect legal medical marijuana patients prosecuted due to conflicting state and federal laws, allowing them to bring in evidence that they are complying with state laws. 

•      H.R. 2652; Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act introduced by Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-CO). This bipartisan legislation updates federal laws to ensure that legitimate marijuana businesses operating under state laws can open bank accounts.

•      A bipartisan letter to the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, to urge inclusion of language in the upcoming Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2015 prohibiting the Department of Justice from using federal resources to prosecute lawful marijuana users in states where it is legal.

For nearly 14 years, medical marijuana use has been legal in the State of Nevada. In 2013, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed SB 374, which authorized the establishment of 66 medical marijuana dispensaries. Nevada is one of 19 states across the country to allow legal use of marijuana for medical purposes, and one of 14 to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. The legislation cosponsored by Congresswoman Dina Titus would address conflicting state and federal laws ensuring that patients and businesses are protected from federal prosecution.