Medical marijuana advocates to host lobbying day

Medical marijuana advocates will descend on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

The advocates are in town for the National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference, which culminates in a lobbying day next week.

Currently, federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, including for medical purposes. But some states have lifted these restrictions within their own borders.

This has created a conflict between the federal and state governments over marijuana enforcement.

{mosads}The Obama administration took a hands-off approach to enforcement. But advocates are concerned the Trump administration will be more aggressive about going after marijuana companies in these states.

Only Congress is in a position to completely lift the federal ban on marijuana through legislation. The advocates hope to make their case for lawmakers to issue a medical exemption.

Their push for legalization comes while Congress is out of town for a two-week recess, but hundreds of advocates plan to meet with Senate and House staffers to discuss the issue.