Big Win, Several Losses for Cannabis Businesses in Congressional Bill

By John Schroyer

A $1.9 trillion federal spending bill that Congress introduced this week represents a mixed bag for the cannabis industry, as it extends some key protections for marijuana businesses but also fails to address several hot-button issues such as banking relief.

On the positive side, the final bill includes an amendment that prohibits the federal government from spending money to hamper the implementation of state medical marijuana laws.

The provision is an extension of the…