Congressman Dave Joyce (D-OH) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to better and immediately prepare the federal government for the cannabis reforms seen across the country and inevitably at the federal level.
Titled the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act, this bill creates a fair, honest, and transparent process for the federal government to establish effective regulations.
Joyce and Jeffries designed the PREPARE Act to provide experts across the ideological spectrum the opportunity to engage on cannabis reform and best equip lawmakers with the information necessary to establish a safe and effective federal regulatory system. Without such engagement, it is unlikely Congress can establish the consensus necessary to enact the federal cannabis policy changes that Americans across the country have demanded.
“Currently, nearly all 50 states have legalized or enacted cannabis to some degree, bringing us closer to the inevitable end to federal cannabis prohibition,” said Congressman Joyce. “Recognizing this reality, the PREPARE Act delivers a bipartisan plan. With this legislation, Congress would be equipped to develop a much-needed federal regulatory framework that not only respects the unique needs, rights, and laws of each state, but also ensures a responsible end to prohibition and a safer future for our communities.”
“Since the failed war on drugs began more than 50 years ago, the prohibition of marijuana has ruined lives, families and communities, particularly communities of color. The PREPARE Act is one of the bipartisan solutions that will lay the groundwork to finally right these wrongs in a way that advances public safety and boosts our economy. I am grateful to Congressman Joyce for reintroducing this important bill and his leadership to help the United States be ready for the inevitable end to cannabis prohibition,” said House Democratic Leader Jeffries.
The PREPARE Act would direct the Attorney General of the United States to establish the “Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis” to advise on the development of a regulatory framework modeled after Federal and State regulatory frameworks with respect to alcohol. Specifically, the legislation would:
- Direct federal regulators to develop a regulatory and revenue framework to ensure safe production and consumption of cannabis, which would account for the unique needs, rights, and laws of each state, and present such a framework to Congress within one year;
- Build upon the efforts undertaken by recent Administrations of both political parties to remedy the unjust consequences of the war on cannabis, particularly those suffered by minority, low-income, and veteran communities;
- Help grant medical professionals critical research access and training,
- Develop protections for the hemp industry, including cross pollination prevention efforts.
- Help ensure that absent the physician-prescribed treatment of a minor, cannabis remain an adult-only product.
Read the full text of the bill here.
