McGovern: I’ll let House debate marijuana reform

His biggest marijuana-related priority: allowing states to legalize and regulate cannabis without interference by the federal government
The Boston Globe (US)
Friday, November 9, 2018

For years, the US House’s powerful Rules Committee has been the place proposed marijuana laws go to die. Pete Sessions, a Texas Republican, made sure of that. Despite strong public support for reforming marijuana laws, he has stopped dozens of cannabis-related amendments and bills from reaching the House floor — including at least 34 since January 2017. Following the Democratic takeover of the House, Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts will soon assume control of the Rules Committee. “Unlike my predecessor, I’m not going to block amendments for marijuana,” the Democrat said. “Citizens are passing ballot initiatives, legislatures are passing laws, and we need to respect that. Federal laws and statutes are way behind.”