There may be uncertainty in regards to cannabis on the federal stage, but some U.S. lawmakers are trying to keep the legislative gears churning.
A bipartisan quartet of congressmen in February launched the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, a group formed to develop a united front to further congressional action on cannabis.
Here’s a rundown of the cannabis bills before the 115th U.S. Congress, including medical measures and a proposal to end federal marijuana prohibition, plus a listing of the Cannabis Caucus members as announced or as they become publicly available.
We’ll keep these lists updated as legislation is introduced and other federal lawmakers join the Cannabis Caucus.
Read about the 32 marijuana-related bills now pending in the California legislature here: TheCannifornian.com
Federal marijuana bills
States’ Medical Marijuana Property Rights Act
Bill number: H.R. 331 (Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 262)
Sponsored by: Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act so as to exempt real property from civil forfeiture due to medical marijuana-related conduct that is authorized by state law
Track the bill: congress.gov
LUMMA (Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marihuana Act)
Bill number: H.R. 714 (Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 2373)
Sponsored by: Rep. H. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia
Summary: To provide for the legitimate use of medicinal marihuana in accordance with the laws of the various states.
Track the bill: congress.gov
Compassionate Access Act
Bill number: H.R. 715 (Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 1774)
Sponsored by: Rep. H. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia
Summary: To provide for the rescheduling of marihuana, the medical use of marihuana in accordance with state law, and the exclusion of cannabidiol from the definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.
Track the progress: congress.gov
Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017
Bill number: H.R. 975 (Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – HR. 1940)
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for a new rule regarding the application of the act to marihuana, and for other purposes
Track the progress: congress.gov
Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017
Bill number: H.R. 1227 (Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – S 2237)
Sponsored by: Rep. Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-Virginia
Summary: To limit the application of federal laws to the distribution and consumption of marihuana, and for other purposes. Calls for the deregulation of marijuana. Prohibits inter-state shipping of marijuana.
Track the progress: congress.gov
Congressional Cannabis Caucus
Members of the bipartisan caucus say they plan to introduce a slew of legislation and resurrect bills from sessions’ past:
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon (founding member)
- Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colorado
- Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado (founding member)
- Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California (founding member)
- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska (founding member)
This story first appeared on TheCannabist.co.