The Wheels are already in motion.
Several marijuana-related bills filed in new Congress
Last update: January 29, 2019
The 116th Congress went into session at the beginning of January, and several marijuana reform bills have already been introduced in both chambers. See below for a listing of legislation we are tracking on the federal level, and stay tuned for information on the progress of these bills and opportunities to take action.
H.R. 420 – Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Purpose: This legislation would remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act. It would also transfer cannabis enforcement authority from the Drug Enforcement Administration to a renamed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Firearms and Explosives.
H.R. 127 – The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act of 2019
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN); 4 cosponsors
Purpose: This legislation would permit states to implement medical cannabis programs without federal intervention. It would also allow physicians with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend cannabis to veterans. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is expected to introduce a Senate companion bill.
H.R. 498 – Sensible Enforcement of Cannabis Act of 2019
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA); 9 cosponsors
Purpose: This legislation would essentially revive the Obama-era marijuana enforcement memo that was rescinded by then-U.S Attorney General Jeff Sessions last year.
H.R. 171 – LUMMA – To provide for the legitimate use of medicinal marihuana in accordance with the laws of the various States
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
Purpose: This legislation would reschedule marijuana and clarify that the federal government cannot “prohibit or otherwise restrict” state-legal use, possession, transportation, production and distribution of medical cannabis. It would also reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, from Schedule I to Schedule II.
H.R. 601 – The Medical Cannabis Research Act
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)
Purpose: While this legislation wouldn’t change the federal legal status of cannabis, it would require the Justice Department to approve additional manufacturers of research-grade marijuana, protect research institutions interested in conducting studies on cannabis, and authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to inform patients about federally approved cannabis studies that they can participate in.
S. 179 – A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a clinical trial of the effects of cannabis on certain health outcomes of adults with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes.
Chamber: Senate
Sponsor: Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT); 1 cosponsor
Purpose: This legislation focuses on increasing research on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans. It would direct the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to conduct clinical trials on the effectiveness of medical marijuana in the treatment of conditions common among military veterans.
* Companion bill to H.R. 712
H.R. 712 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a clinical trial of the effects of cannabis on certain health outcomes of adults with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes.
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA); 17 cosponsors
Purpose: This legislation focuses on increasing research on the medical benefits of cannabis for military veterans. It would direct the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to conduct clinical trials on the effectiveness of medical marijuana in the treatment of conditions common among military veterans.
* Companion bill to S. 179
H.R. 747 – To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct and support research on the efficacy and safety of medicinal cannabis, and for other purposes.
Chamber: House
Sponsor: Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN)
Purpose: This bill would require the VA to conduct clinical trials on how cannabis can help veterans suffering from conditions such as chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
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