Bipartisan Legislation Introduced in Preparation of Federal Cannabis Legalization

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In an April 17, 2025, press release, Congressman Dave Joyce announced the reintroduction of bipartisan legislation to support cannabis legalization (1). Joyce, representing Ohio's 14^th district, alongside House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents New York’s 8^th district, introduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-prohibition Adult-use Regulated Environment Act of 2025, intended to create a process for establishing regulations for cannabis once its decades-long prohibition ends, and also noting its widespread legalization across the nation, the use of prohibition to systemize discriminatory practices against minority communities, obstructed access to its research, and other challenges.

“Currently, nearly all 50 states have legalized or enacted cannabis to some degree, bringing us closer to the inevitable end to federal cannabis prohibition,” stated Congressman Joyce, in the press release. “Recognizing this reality, the PREPARE Act delivers a bipartisan plan. With this legislation, Congress would be equipped to develop a much-needed federal regulatory framework that not only respects the unique needs, rights, and laws of each state, but also ensures a responsible end to prohibition and a safer future for our communities.”

Also called the PREPARE Act, its purpose is stated as (2): “The President and Congress shall prepare the Federal Government for an inevitable and prompt end to Federal marihuana prohibition by establishing a commission to advise on the development of a regulatory framework with respect to marihuana regulation, including accounting for the different characteristics of communities, agencies, and industries impacted by Federal marihuana prohibition. Such regulatory framework shall be modeled after Federal and State regulatory frameworks with respect to alcohol.”

Specifically, the Act intends for the Attorney General to create the “Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis” to study a plausible framework that aims to alleviate several challenges in the industry. Some of the areas the Commission will focus on include:

• The consequences of cannabis criminalization on minority, low-income, and veteran communities
• Access to cannabis research, including on medical uses and effects of impairment, plus training at publicly funded training centers
• Access to the financial service sector by entrepreneurs
• Product safety regulations and requirements to protect youth
• The coexistence of the hemp and cannabis industries

Membership of the Commission is intended to be balanced and representative of individuals with a wide range of expertise and roles.

“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," stated House Democratic Leader Jeffries, in a press release (3). “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. 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.”

References

1. Dave Joyce. Joyce, Jeffries Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prepare for Inevitable End to Federal Cannabis Prohibition https://joyce.house.gov/posts/joyce-jeffries-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-prepare-for-inevitable-end-to-federal-cannabis-prohibition-2 (accessed April 22, 2025).
2. Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-prohibition Adult-use Regulated Environment Act of 2025. https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/joyce.house.gov/uploads/2025/04/JOYCOH_004_xml-FINAL.pdf (accessed April 22, 2025).
3. Hakeem Jeffries. Joyce, Jeffries Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prepare for Inevitable End to Federal Cannabis Prohibition https://jeffries.house.gov/2023/04/13/joyce-jeffries-reintroduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-prepare-for-inevitable-end-to-federal-cannabis-prohibition/ (accessed April 22, 2025).