A House Appropriations Committee vote has advanced a spending bill that could halt federal cannabis reform and weaken protections for state medical marijuana programs. The fiscal year 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science bill includes Section 607, which bars the use of federal funds to reschedule or deschedule marijuana. This would effectively stall the Drug Enforcement Administration’s review of cannabis rescheduling, despite recommendations from Health and Human Services.

Another controversial measure, Section 529(b), aims to roll back the long-standing Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment by allowing federal enforcement within 1,000 feet of schools, universities, and even arcades — zones that cover many licensed dispensaries. Advocates argue the bill invites renewed DEA raids, undermining patient access in the 40 states with medical cannabis programs.

While the committee approved the bill, its future in the full House and Senate remains uncertain. Read the full report here.