Despite the federal government still criminalizing it, 36 states have legalized medical cannabis. And fifteen states, including California, have also legalized it to include recreational use. But the House, last week, approved decriminalizing it nationwide, which also facilitates cancelling low-level federal convictions and arrests. However, the vote was mostly along party lines, with most Republicans opposing it. That includes Nevada County’s Republican Congressman, Doug LaMalfa….

LaMalfa also opposes incentives for businesses to help them enter the cannabis market, including loans from the Small Business administration…

And LaMalfa also contends that a proposed five-percent commercial cannabis excise tax would create a slush fund for grants to benefit individuals who have been convicted of federal drug crimes. But the legislation is not expected to be taken up by the Senate, which still has a Republican majority.