Updated February 25th, 2020
It’s no secret that many state regulations have been passed in regards to regulating marijuana. However at the federal level THC based cannabis is still illegal. Although Trump did pass the Hemp Farming Bill which legalized hemp growing, there is still a long way to go before it is legalized at the federal level.
Pending Federal Marijuana Legislation
There are a number of bills pending in the House in Senate. Here are a few of them.
Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act
S.420 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor:Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (Introduced 02/07/2019)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 02/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
H.R.1120 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 02/08/2019)
Committees: Senate – Finance
Latest Action: Senate – 02/07/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act
H.R.2843 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] (Introduced 05/20/2019)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Natural Resources; Agriculture; Transportation and Infrastructure; Small Business
Latest Action: House – 06/26/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
S.1552 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] (Introduced 05/20/2019)
Committees: Senate – Judiciary
Latest Action: Senate – 05/20/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act of 2019
H.R.1119 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 02/08/2019)
Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Financial Services; Natural Resources; Education and Labor; Veterans’ Affairs; Oversight and Reform
Latest Action: House – 03/14/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. (All Actions)
S.421 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (Introduced 02/07/2019)
Committees: House – Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 10/02/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Marijuana Data Collection Act
H.R.1587 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2] (Introduced 03/07/2019)
Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Education and Labor
Latest Action: House – 04/08/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
H.R.1587 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 01/09/2019) Committees: House – Judiciary; Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Natural Resources; Agriculture
Latest Action: House – 02/08/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
Attorney General Will Not Pursue Legal Action Against Marijuana Businesses
Despite the federal governments stance on marijuana, the Attorney General William Barr says he will not pursue legally operating marijuana companies. He as come out on several occasions to call for less harsh standards against marijuana at the federal level.This despite the Department of Justice stating that it will be rolling back protections designed to protect businesses legally growing marijuana.
This was in stark contrast with the reign of Jeff Sessions who vowed to go after marijuana companies by using the DOJ as well as rolling back standing protections that the federal government had previously had for legally operating businesses.
Marijuana laws in the United States
Under Trump the federal government is mostly continuing Obama’s practice of letting the states decide what laws to pass in regards to the regulation of marijuana.
So far 11 states have legalized marijuana for all adults. Furthermore a total of 33 states as well as the District of Columbia, and the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and others allow for marijuana use for medical purposes.
Currently legislation is pending in several states including:
As state policies develop, you can turn to Sensible Marijuana Laws for future developments.
2020-02-25