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HR 1717 108th Congress House

Truth in Trials Act

Official title: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide an affirmative defense for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the laws of the various States, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 12, 2003 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative remediesCivil actions and liabilityCriminal liabilityDepartment of Justice
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Drug abuseDrug law enforcementDrug trafficEvidence (Law)ForfeitureGovernment Operations and PoliticsHealthLawMarijuanaMedicinal plantsPhysiciansProsecutionSearches and seizuresState laws
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 5, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Apr 24, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Apr 10, 2003
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
Apr 10, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 5, 2003

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Truth in Trials Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to establish as an affirmative defense for any person facing prosecution or a proceeding for any marijuana-related offense that the marijuana-related activities in question were in compliance with State law regarding the medical use of marijuana. Allows a finder of fact to find a defendant guilty of a lesser offense if the defendant's marijuana-related activity was found to be primarily, but not exclusively, for medical purposes. Provides for the return of any property with respect to which an individual successfully makes a defense under this Act.

Amends provisions concerning the seizure and custody of marijuana to limit seizure authority of marijuana authorized for medical use and provide for the retention of seized plants pending resolution of a case involving an affirmative defense for the medical use of marijuana.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Democratic 10 Independent 1
D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · Oct 8, 2003
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Jul 24, 2003
 D
Lofgren, Zoe
California · Jun 12, 2003
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · May 1, 2003
 D
Sherman, Brad
California · Apr 11, 2003
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Apr 10, 2003
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · Apr 10, 2003
 D
Sánchez, Linda T.
California · Apr 10, 2003
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Apr 10, 2003
 D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Apr 10, 2003
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Apr 10, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1717: Truth in Trials Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1717/
MLA
"H.R. 1717: Truth in Trials Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1717/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1717, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1717/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1717: Truth in Trials Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1717/)
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