Oregon and Colorado Congressmen Want Medical Marijuana Legalized Everywhere

A new medical marijuana bill could set precedent.

Oregon Representative Earl Blumenauer (D) has co-sponsored a bill with Colorado Rep. Jared Polis (D) that would legalize medical marijuana at the federal level.

The bill has 11 other sponsors including one Republican. It would create a framework for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eventually legalize the drug for medical purposes. 

Blumenauer says his bill would relieve the Department of Justice from prosecuting under a confusing set of laws and would also set up a potential framework for the federal government to tax the drug.

While experts on Capitol Hill don't expect the bill to pass, four other states are facing referendums that would at least legalize medical use of the drug including New York, New Hampshire, Illinois and Maryland.