Federal legislation that would protect state-legal marijuana activity from federal prohibition has gained a new cosponsor for the first time in nearly 11 months.

Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA) joined the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States 2.0 Act, or STATES 2.0 Act, on Aug. 6, bringing the measure to eight cosponsors.

Carter is the third Democrat to cosponsor House Bill 2934, joining Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Val Hoyle (D-OR). Five Republicans are also signed on to the proposal, which was introduced in April 2025 by Rep. David Joyce (R-OH).

The previous lawmaker to join the bill was Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), who became a cosponsor on Sept. 19, 2025. Carter’s addition comes nearly 11 months later.

The STATES 2.0 Act would amend the federal Controlled Substances Act so that its marijuana prohibitions generally would not apply to activity conducted in compliance with state law or qualifying tribal law.

The proposal would also protect marijuana transportation between states where such activity is legal. States through which marijuana is transported would generally be prohibited from blocking shipments between legal jurisdictions, although states could maintain certain public health and safety restrictions.

Under the bill, marijuana produced, possessed or distributed in compliance with applicable state or tribal law would be treated as not meeting the requirements for inclusion in any federal controlled substance schedule. The attorney general would be required to finalize a rule implementing the change within 180 days of enactment.

The legislation would also exempt compliant marijuana businesses from Section 280E of the federal tax code, which prevents businesses trafficking in federally controlled substances from taking standard business deductions.

H.R. 2934 was introduced on April 17, 2025 and referred to the House Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. It has not yet received a committee vote.