Lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate have introduced several marijuana-related bills so far this year.

Several of these bills are tied to larger appropriations packages, while others are standalone efforts. Here’s a breakdown of the key marijuana- and hemp-related legislation currently pending in Congress.

STATES 2.0 Act (H.R. 2934)

Introduced by Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH), Max Miller (R-OH), and Dina Titus (D-NV), this bill would shield individuals and businesses following state or tribal marijuana laws from federal interference. It would also allow interstate cannabis commerce between compliant jurisdictions and enable marijuana companies to access standard federal tax deductions.

Veterans Equal Access Act (H.R. 1384)

Sponsored by Representative Brian Mast (R-FL), this bipartisan bill would allow Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it’s legal. The measure would eliminate VA rules that currently block doctors from discussing or recommending medical cannabis, even in jurisdictions where it is authorized.

Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act (H.R. 966)

Filed by Representative Greg Steube (R-FL), this bill would prohibit the VA from denying benefits to veterans solely because they use medical marijuana in accordance with state law. It would also allow VA physicians to discuss marijuana as a treatment option.

Military Construction and VA Appropriations Act (H.R. 8580)

The U.S. House voted 290 to 116 last month to adopt an amendment into this $1.5 trillion appropriations bill that would prohibit the VA from enforcing internal directives that prevent its doctors from recommending marijuana. The language is modeled on the Veterans Equal Access Act and was adopted with broad bipartisan support. It must now be approved by the Senate before it can be sent to President Trump for consideration.

PREPARE Act (H.R. 2935)

Filed in tandem with the STATES 2.0 Act, the PREPARE Act would create a federal commission to guide the development of national marijuana regulations in anticipation of federal legalization. The commission would make recommendations on how to harmonize state laws with federal policy.

Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act (H.R. 8219)

This bill from Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate marijuana’s continued classification as a Schedule I substance, assessing whether it reflects current scientific understanding and how it affects research access.

No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act (S. 471 / H.R. 1447)

Filed by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) in the Senate and Representative Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) in the House, this bill would block marijuana businesses from claiming any federal tax deductions—even if marijuana is rescheduled. It is the only marijuana-related bill introduced this year that seeks to further restrict the industry.

House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill (Hemp THC Ban)

Advanced by the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees, this bill includes an amendment that would ban all consumable hemp products containing detectable levels of THC, effectively banning hemp THC nationwide. Backed by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the measure would dismantle the current hemp-derived THC market, including popular products like delta-8 and THCA. A one-year delay in implementation is included.

Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act

Introduced by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), this bill takes the opposite approach of the appropriations amendments. It would raise the legal THC threshold for hemp from 0.3% to 1% and move testing requirements from raw plant material to finished products. It also includes protections for transport and documentation, easing legal burdens on farmers and manufacturers.

Cannabis Rescheduling Under Review

While none of the bills above would directly reschedule marijuana, a significant potential federal reform remains under active consideration: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently reviewing a proposed rule to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This process was initiated after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended rescheduling in 2023, but the DEA’s review has since been paused, though it is still officially underway. A public comment period resulted in over 40,000 comments, with less than 10% in support of keeping cannabis as a Schedule I drug.

In recent weeks many of former President Donald Trump’s advisors and allies have spoken in support of rescheduling cannabis, with sources telling us that he has been privately promoting the move for weeks now. Some have suggested Trump may be waiting to publicly promote the move until Terrence Cole is confirmed by the Senate as DEA Administrator.