H.R. 4779 – REFER Act of 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 7:50 PM UTC

The REFER Act of 2018 aims to stop the federal government from using its money to interfere with state laws that allow cannabis. It bars federal funds from being used to block, prosecute, or penalize people, businesses, or banks that operate in compliance with those state cannabis regulations. The bill mainly affects states that have legalized cannabis, the individuals and companies that grow, sell, or use it, and the financial institutions that serve them.

Key Provisions

Prohibits any federal funds from being used to prevent a state or local government from implementing or maintaining its own cannabis laws.
Bars the federal government from detaining, prosecuting, sentencing, or filing civil actions against anyone who is involved in cannabis activities that are legal under state or local law.
Stops the federal government from penalizing financial institutions solely because they provide services to cannabis‑related businesses that operate legally under state or local law.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

January 17, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 11, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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.

Judiciary Committee

January 11, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

January 12, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H421)

January 17, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

January 17, 2018

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 4779 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Barbara LeeD-CA-13 · Jan 17, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to Attorney General Sessions' unproductive and backwards marijuana policies. By rescinding the Cole memorandum on legal marijuana enforcement, Jeff…

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 11, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4779

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 11, 2018

Ms. Lee (for herself, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Young of Alaska, Mr. Polis, and Ms. Titus) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Energy and Commerce, 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

A BILL

To protect States and individuals in States that have laws which permit the use of cannabis, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Restraining Excessive Federal Enforcement & Regulations of Cannabis Act of 2018 or the REFER Act of 2018.

2.

Limitation on the use of funds

None of the funds made available by any Act of Congress to any department or agency of the United States may be used to—

(1)

prevent a State or unit of local government from implementing or maintaining its State law or regulation that authorizes the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of cannabis;

(2)

detain, prosecute, sentence, or initiate civil proceedings against an individual, business or property, that is involved in the cultivation, distribution, possession, dispensation, or use of cannabis, in accordance with the law or regulation of the State or unit of local government in which the individual is located; or

(3)

penalize a financial institution solely because the institution provides financial services to an entity that is a manufacturer, producer, or a person that participates in any business or organized activity that involves handling cannabis or cannabis products, or any related activity, and engages in such activity pursuant to a law or regulation established by a State or a unit of local government in which the financial institution is located.

3.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

The term financial institution has the meaning given such term in section 5312 of title 31, United States Code.

(2)

The term State means any State, the District of Columbia, any territory or possession of the United States, or any Indian tribal government.