So far in 2025, five cannabis-related bills have been filed in the United States Congress. Here’s a breakdown of each proposal.
The STATES 2.0 Act (H.R. 2934)
Filed in the U.S. House by Representatives Dave Joyce (R), Max Miller (R), and Dina Titus (D), the STATES 2.0 Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to exempt individuals and businesses acting in compliance with state or tribal marijuana laws from federal enforcement. The legislation would also authorize interstate marijuana commerce between legal jurisdictions and make marijuana businesses eligible for federal tax deductions currently denied under IRS Code 280E. The bill outlines a framework for eventual federal regulation and taxation of marijuana products.
Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act (H.R. 966)
Filed in the House by Representative Greg Steube (R), the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from denying veterans benefits based solely on their participation in a state-authorized medical marijuana program. It would also allow VA doctors to openly discuss marijuana use with their patients and incorporate it into their care if appropriate 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 to ensure VA physicians can provide veterans with medical marijuana recommendations in states where it’s legal. The bill is designed to remove barriers preventing veterans from accessing medical marijuana through their VA doctors, something currently prohibited despite growing demand.
The key difference between the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act and the Veterans Equal Access Act lies in what they allow VA doctors to do and how they protect veterans’ rights:
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Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act focuses on protecting veterans. It ensures the VA cannot deny benefits to veterans just because they use medical marijuana legally under state law. It also clarifies that VA doctors can discuss marijuana use with their patients, but it doesn’t explicitly say they can recommend it.
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Veterans Equal Access Act, on the other hand, goes a step further. It explicitly allows VA doctors to provide written recommendations for medical marijuana—something currently prohibited. This would allow veterans to use their VA physician to obtain state-authorized medical marijuana cards.
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)
Sponsored by Congressmember Dave Joyce (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act is designed to establish a fair and transparent process for developing federal regulations in anticipation of nationwide marijuana legalization. It would bring together experts to help guide the transition from the current patchwork of state laws to a unified interstate market. Participants would include industry stakeholders, criminal justice reform advocates, substance use and health care experts, state cannabis regulators, tribal and state justice departments, and members of the public. The proposal was filed on April 17.
