The issue focused on plans for medical marijuana legislation in Colorado and Washington. Lawmakers have moved toward decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana and legalizing recreational use of the drug.

However, opposition from medical marijuana advocates has pushed legislators to prohibit medical marijuana programs from receiving federal funds. This legislation would prohibit federal funds from going to medical marijuana programs that prohibit medical marijuana patients from receiving federal funds.

Dr. Lenora Jackson, medical director of an Oakland medical marijuana dispensary, told legislators this legislation would prohibit medical