H.R. 1523, titled the "Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2013" (text below), would effectively legalize marijuana at the fedeal level to the extent it's legal at the state level. Joining Congressman Rohrabacher in co-authoring the bill are Congressmembers Justin Amash (R, MI), Earl Blumenauer (D, OR), Steve Cohen (D, TN), Jared Polis, (D, CO) and Don Young (R, AK).

The bill's text is:

113TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 1523

To amend Controlled Substances Act to provide for a new rule regarding the application of the Act to marihuana, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. ROHRABACHER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on April 12, 2013.

A BILL

To amend Controlled Substances Act to provide for a new rule regarding the application of the Act to marihuana, and for other purposes.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2013".

SEC. 2. RULE REGARDING APPLICATION TO MARIHUANA.

Part G of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. section 801 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

"SEC. 710. RULE REGARDING APPLICATION TO MARIHUANA.

"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subchapter related to marihuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marihuana."

Cong. Rohrabacher state2 in a release, "This bipartisan bill represents a common-sense approach that establishes federal government respect for all states’ marijuana laws. It does so by keeping the federal government out of the business of criminalizing marijuana activities in states that don't want it to be criminal."

In the release, Cong. Rohrabacher's office says that to date, eighteen states [including CA regarding medical marijuana collectives/compassionate use] as well as the District of Columbia, have legalized the use of marijuana to some extent. A recent Pew Research poll found that sixty percent of Americans believe "the federal government should not enforce federal laws prohibiting the use of marijuana in states where it is legal."

The bill, introduced on April 12, has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committees "for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned."

Long Beach City Hall's federal legislative agenda (matters supported or oppose by the City) includes a provision, adopted by voted action of the City Council on Feb. 14, 2012, to "(1) Support legislation that would grant federal approval of medical marijuana procedures and regulations in state that have approved and implemented state legislation for use of medical marijuana; (2) Support legislation to classify medical marijuana as a recognized pharmaceutical medication dispensed through pharmacies." The Council action stemmed from a floor motion (not specifically agendized, made during agendized item to ban marijuana collectives in LB awaiting state court decisions) by Councilman James Johnson (seconded by Councilmembers Gabelich and Garcia). The Council vote advocating a federal policy change carried 6-1 (Schipske dissenting, DeLong absent).

The City's previously adopted federal legislative agenda included a provision to "support legislation that would grant federal approval of medical marijuana procedures and regulations in states that have approved and implemented state legislation for use of medical marijuana."

Developing.