New Federal Legalization Bill Just Dropped

- No state or local government will be forced to change its current cannabis policies. Federally decriminalizes cannabis from Schedule I and defers to states over prohibition or regulation.
- Regulates cannabis federally like alcohol under USDA for growers, ATF/TTB for cannabis products, and FDA for medical use. 
- Institutes a low 3% federal excise tax on cannabis products to fund law enforcement, small business, and veterans mental health initiatives.
- Ensures the safe harbor of state medical cannabis programs and patient access while allowing for new medical research and products to be developed.
- Federal release and expungement for those convicted of nonviolent, cannabis-only related offenses. This will not include cartel members, agents of cartel gangs or those convicted of driving under the influence. Approximately 2,600 releases will be expected at the federal level. 
- Protects military veterans by ensuring they will not be discriminated against in federal hiring for cannabis use or lose their VA healthcare benefits.
- Protects children and young adults under the age of 21 from cannabis products and advertising nationwide. Incentivizes states to make cannabis illegal for anyone under the age of 21, with a medical exception for prescribed use. Provides funding to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to ensure protections for minors are being considered.
- Protects medical cannabis for the following uses: arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, sickle cell, HIV/AIDS, PTSD and other medical uses per a state’s specific cannabis regulations.

Senate Trio Unveils Federal Cannabis Legalization Draft With Provisions to Deschedule, Tax and Regulate

U.S. Sens. Schumer, Wyden and Booker provide preliminary version of bill, hoping to spark discussion to help fine-tune a formal introduction.

House Judiciary Committee Approves MORE Act

Advocates now call for a full floor vote for the cannabis legalization bill.