Crucial medical marijuana protections at the federal level were scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, potentially jeopardizing the therapeutic relief of millions of patients — not to mention putting countless businesses and industry jobs at risk. On a larger note, Sept. 30 would also mark the start of a government shutdown if a budget agreement or extension were not agreed upon and signed by President Trump.
On Friday, the House of Representatives submitted a budget proposal that would raise the debt limit as part of a short-term spending package, effectively postponing the government shutdown from Sept. 30 until at least Dec. 8. President Trump signed the extension later that day.
If no new extension or agreement on the budget for fiscal year 2018 is reached by Dec. 8, the medical marijuana protections would expire and the government would shut down until a new agreement could be reached.
The primary goal of the spending package was to provide $15 billion in additional disaster aid to residents of Texas who had been affected by Hurricane Harvey. The final bill Trump signed was proposed by Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck…