Trump’s 2026 Budget Proposal Seeks to Remove Federal Protections for Medical Cannabis Patients

Trump’s Budget Proposal Threatens Federal Safeguards for Medical Cannabis Patients

In a move that has sparked immediate concern among advocates and patients alike, the Trump Administration’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year includes a call to repeal crucial federal protections for those involved in state-legal medical cannabis programs.

Since 2014, a specific provision—known as the Rohrabacher–Blumenauer Amendment—has been included in federal budget legislation. This provision prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using federal funds to interfere with, prosecute, or target individuals and businesses operating within the bounds of their state’s medical cannabis laws. These protections have been essential in shielding patients, caregivers, and dispensary owners from federal raids and legal threats in the 39 states where medical cannabis is legal.

However, the Trump Administration’s latest budget request seeks to eliminate this longstanding rider. If repealed, it could pave the way for renewed federal interference—even in states where medical cannabis is fully legalized and regulated. Before this protection was first enacted, there were numerous cases of federal authorities targeting patients, raiding dispensaries, and disrupting access to medical cannabis, even when individuals were in full compliance with their state laws.

NORML and other advocacy groups have raised serious concerns, warning that this proposal, if adopted, would not only undermine state sovereignty but also jeopardize the health and well-being of countless Americans who rely on medical cannabis as part of their treatment plan.

It’s important to note that while the White House can propose this change, the ultimate decision rests with Congress. Lawmakers have the power to retain the protective language in the final budget legislation—and advocates are calling on them to do exactly that.

Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML, emphasized the importance of keeping these protections in place:
"Patients in nearly every U.S. state have come to rely on medical cannabis to manage conditions ranging from chronic pain and epilepsy to PTSD. Stripping away these protections would not only violate states' rights but would also cruelly punish patients for following the laws of their own communities."

If you care about preserving access to safe, regulated medical cannabis, now is the time to act. NORML is urging concerned citizens to contact their representatives and demand that this vital budget rider be maintained.