US Representatives Reintroduce Bipartisan PREPARE Act to Pave the Way for Federal Cannabis Legalization

Reps. Dave Joyce and Hakeem Jefferies are again sponsoring the legislation, which would create a process for the federal government to enact regulations should it lift the prohibition of cannabis.

United States Capitol Adobe Stock Credit Katherine Resized2
Katherine | Adobe Stock

A pair of U.S. Representatives have once again sponsored legislation to prepare for the federal legalization of cannabis.

Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Hakeem Jefferies (NY-08) reintroduced the bipartisan Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act April 14 to create a process for the federal government to enact regulations should it lift the prohibition of cannabis.

“With nearly every state adopting its own set of cannabis reforms, an end to federal cannabis prohibition is inevitable,” Joyce said in a public statement. “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 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.”

In broad terms, the legislation aims to provide experts with an opportunity to engage on cannabis policy reform and equip lawmakers with the information needed to create a federal regulatory framework.

“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. Since the failed war on drugs began over 50 years ago, the prohibition of marijuana has ruined lives, families and communities—particularly communities of color,” Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said in a public statement. “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 federal government be ready for the inevitable end to cannabis prohibition.”

More specifically, the PREPARE Act would direct the attorney general to create a Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis, which would advise on how to develop regulations for cannabis modeled after federal and state regulatory frameworks for alcohol.

According to a press release from Joyce’s office, the bill would do the following:

  • 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 Obama and Trump Administrations’ efforts 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; and
  • Help ensure that absent the physician prescribed treatment of a minor, cannabis remain an adult-only product.

 Last year, Joyce and Jefferies were joined by Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18) in introducing the PREPARE Act for the first time. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., then filed companion legislation in the upper chamber in December.

“The PREPARE Act would ensure that Congress thoughtfully approaches regulating the rapidly growing legal consumer marketplaces at a time when a majority of Americans live in a state that has legalized adult-use cannabis,” Better Organizing to Win Legalization’s Justin Strekal said in a public statement. “With Congressional precedent to pass a bill to end prohibition and expunge prior marijuana charges, the biggest remaining unknown is how to properly and efficiently address labeling, advertising, public health concerns, and other post-prohibition regulatory aspects that have yet to be approached in a bipartisan way and this bill can be the vehicle to do just that.”

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