The Stop Pot Act in the US House of Representatives has not garnered a single new sponsor since early October, despite being the most prominent piece of anti-marijuana legislation in Congress.
The Stop Pot Act was filed in September by North Carolina Congressmember Chuck Edwards. The measure would withhold federal funding from states and tribes that have legalized recreational marijuana. The measure was filed with just one cosponsor, which grew to five by the following month. However, the proposal has not gained a single new sponsor since Congressmember John Rose (R-TN) joined the list on October 2, almost six months ago.
By comparison, a measure to completely remove marijuana as a controlled substance has 87 sponsors. Legislation to allow marijuana banking has 107 sponsors.
Specifically the Stop Pot Act would withhold 10% of federal highway funds from states and tribes that violate the federal Controlled Substances Act, which currently considers marijuana a schedule 1 drug, putting it in the same category as heroin and making it illegal for all purposes.
“The laws of any government should not infringe on the overall laws of our nation, and federal funds should not be awarded to jurisdictions that willfully ignore federal law”, Representative Edwards said in a press statement following the bill’s introduction in September. “During a time when our communities are seeing unprecedented crime, drug addiction, and mental illness, the Stop Pot Act will help prevent even greater access to drugs and ease the strain placed on our local law enforcement and mental health professionals who are already stretched thin.”
According to two separate polls released in 2023, 64% of adults in the United States support marijuana being legalized for recreational use. There are currently 24 states that have legalized recreational marijuana.
For a look at the five states gearing up to be the next to legalize recreational marijuana, click here.
