Between January and April 2025, six cannabis-related bills have been filed in the United States Congress.
Below is a breakdown of the six cannabis-related measures filed so far this session of Congress, with several additional bills expected to be filed in the coming days and weeks.
The STATES 2.0 Act (H.R. 2934)
Representatives Dave Joyce (R), Max Miller (R), and Dina Titus (D) recently introduced the STATES 2.0 Act in the U.S. House. The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent federal enforcement against individuals and businesses that follow state or tribal marijuana laws. It would also allow marijuana commerce between legal jurisdictions and permit marijuana businesses to claim federal tax deductions that are currently blocked under IRS Code 280E. Additionally, the legislation lays out a framework for future federal regulation and taxation of marijuana products.
Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act (H.R. 966)
Representative Greg Steube (R) has filed the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act in the House. The bill would prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs from denying benefits to veterans solely because they participate in a state-approved medical marijuana program. It would also allow VA doctors to discuss marijuana use with their patients and include it in treatment plans when permitted under state law.
Veterans Equal Access Act (H.R. 1384)
In February, Representative Brian Mast (R) introduced the Veterans Equal Access Act in the House. The bill would allow VA physicians to issue medical marijuana recommendations to veterans in states where it is legal, aiming to eliminate current barriers that prevent veterans from accessing medical marijuana through their VA healthcare providers.
The main distinction between the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act and the Veterans Equal Access Act centers on the role of VA doctors and the protection of veterans’ rights:
The Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act is primarily focused on safeguarding veterans by ensuring the VA cannot deny benefits to those who legally use medical marijuana under state law. It also permits VA doctors to discuss marijuana use with their patients but stops short of allowing them to provide written recommendations.
In contrast, the Veterans Equal Access Act goes further by specifically authorizing VA doctors to issue written recommendations for medical marijuana. This change would enable veterans to obtain state-issued medical marijuana cards through their VA physicians.
No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act (S. 471 and H.R. 1447)
This bill was filed in both chambers of Congress earlier this year, including in the Senate by James Lankford (R) and Pete Ricketts (R) and in the House by Nathaniel Moran (R). It would prevent marijuana businesses from claiming tax deductions for business expenses, even if marijuana is moved to a lower schedule under the Controlled Substances Act. The proposal is a direct response to ongoing efforts to reschedule marijuana and calls for reforming or eliminating IRS Code 280E. The legislation has drawn strong opposition from legal marijuana operators and industry groups.
Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act (H.R. 2935)
Congressmember Dave Joyce (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have introduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act. The bill would create a fair and transparent process for crafting federal regulations in preparation for nationwide marijuana legalization. It would bring together experts from across different fields to help move from the current patchwork of state laws to a unified interstate market. Participants would include industry leaders, criminal justice reform advocates, health care and substance use experts, state and tribal justice officials, state cannabis regulators, and members of the public. The measure was filed on April 17.
Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act (H.R. 8219)
Introduced by Representatives Dina Titus (D) and Ilhan Omar (D), the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the effectiveness of marijuana’s current Schedule I classification. The GAO would be tasked with assessing how the classification impacts access to research and whether it aligns with the scientific evidence on marijuana’s health effects and potential therapeutic uses. The goal is to promote data-driven policymaking by ensuring federal drug laws are based on credible scientific findings rather than outdated assumptions. The bill is part of a broader push to modernize federal drug policies and advance marijuana reform efforts in Congress.
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