A federal cannabis commission would be established under a bipartisan bill sponsored on April 13 by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) to study a prompt and plausible pathway to federally regulating marijuana once the nation’s 86-year-old ban is eventually lifted.
“With nearly every state adopting its own set of cannabis reforms, an end to federal cannabis prohibition is inevitable,” Rep. Joyce said. “Now is the time for the federal government to respect the will of our constituents and begin the conversation on fair and effective cannabis regulation.”
The Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-prohibition Adult-use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act of 2023, H.R. 2598, has three original cosponsors, including lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). The legislation would provide experts across the ideological spectrum the opportunity to lead cannabis reform and best equip lawmakers with the information necessary to establish a safe and effective federal regulatory system, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Joyce’s staff.
“The PREPARE Act will give lawmakers a bipartisan platform to legislate not only a fair and responsible end to prohibition but also a safer future for our communities,” said Rep. Joyce.
If enacted, H.R. 2598 would direct the U.S. Attorney General to establish the Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis, which would advise development of a regulatory framework modeled after federal and state alcohol regulatory frameworks, the summary says. The bill would direct federal regulators to develop a regulatory and revenue framework to ensure the safe production and consumption of cannabis that would be presented within a year of enactment to Congress.
The bill also would help grant medical professionals research access and training, develop protections for the hemp industry, and ensure that absent the physician prescribed treatment of a minor, cannabis remains an adult-only product, according to the summary.
“Americans across the political spectrum recognize that now is the time for cannabis reform, and the federal government should be ready to embrace and lead this change,” said Rep. Jeffries. “I am grateful to Congressman Joyce for reintroducing this important bill and his leadership to help the federal government be ready for the inevitable end to cannabis prohibition.”
Better Organizing to Win Legalization, the Global Indigenous Council, and the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation endorsed the bill.