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List of 2024 United States cannabis reform proposals

List of 2024 United States cannabis reform proposals
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Legality of cannabis in the United States (2023)
Status
  Legal for recreational use
  Legal for medical use
  Illegal

Federal

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Executive action

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The Federal administrative process that began with President Biden's directive in 2022, and in 2023 with a recommendation by the Department of Health and Human Services to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act was incomplete at the beginning of 2024.[1] The President made descheduling and other cannabis reforms a topic of the 2024 State of the Union Address;[2] it was the first time the word "marijuana" had been used in a State of the Union Address since Ronald Reagan called it a target of the War on Drugs alongside cocaine in 1988.[3] The Drug Enforcement Administration initiated a 2024 policy review to potentially reschedule marijuana as a Schedule III drug, amounting to "the agency's biggest policy change in more than 50 years".[4]

Some hiring and retention policies in federal employment and the armed forces evolved during 2024. The policy for US Navy recruits was adjusted to allow positive urinalysis tests for cannabis during boot camp to be non-disqualifying.[5] U.S. Customs and Border Protection adjusted its scope of cannabis use to consider only the prior 90 days' admitted use when hiring, instead of the prior standard of several years.[6] The Drug Enforcement Agency itself settled a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by an agent who had a positive urinalysis test for THC metabolites, when he had been taking legal cannabidiol (CBD), and reinstated the agent with back pay and paid his legal fees.[7]

During the 2024 United States presidential campaign, both major party U.S. presidential candidates promised to support either rescheduling or legalization.[8][9]

Bills

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Since 2011, HUD has prohibited use and growing in any low income housing.[10] On January 25, Senator Cory Booker introduced S.3671, that would end restrictions on cannabis users in federally funded housing, provided the use is in compliance with state law.[11] The same day, a matching House bill H.R. 7094 was introduced by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton.[12][13]

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 passed by the House on March 6 contained language directing the Department of Justice to study state legalization and regulation,[14][non-primary source needed] a provision of the failed 2023 PREPARE Act that Rep. Dave Joyce had called preparation for "the inevitable end to federal cannabis prohibition".[15]

In a Dear Colleague letter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others announced plans to reintroduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act before April 20.[16]

The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House of Representatives on June 14, 2024 contains reform language related to cannabis drug testing of military recruits.[17] The military still retains a Zero tolerance policy for those who use any form of THC on active duty.[18][better source needed]

S.4711, whose official title was "A bill to limit the consideration of marijuana use when making an employment suitability or security clearance determination, and for other purposes", was introduced on July 11 by Senator Gary Peters.[19] It "would prohibit federal agencies from using past marijuana use as the sole factor in determining employment suitability, qualification standards, or eligibility for security clearances and federal credentials" and "exempt marijuana from a blanket denial in security clearance statutes".[20] The bill cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, of which Peters was chairperson, on September 18.[21]

State and tribal

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State legislation and initiatives

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In Anchorage, Alaska the Assembly tried to pass a local ordinance to allow additional methods for dispensaries to sell cannabis. These methods include; sales by drive-thru, Internet and by phone.[22] Police Chief Michael Kerle opposed these measures[23] which were eventually voted down.[24]

In Connecticut, William Tong, Connecticut Attorney General, filed civil court actions against 7 dispensaries citing packaging and dosage complications.[25]

Kentucky HB 72 was introduced in early January by Nima Kulkarni to legalize possession but not sales of cannabis.[26][27]

The governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers (D), said in early January that he would sign a medical cannabis bill if it was passed by the legislature. The bill, which includes state-run dispensaries, was introduced on January 8 by lawmakers in the majority-Republican state assembly.[28][29]

On January 3, Erica Layon (R) introduced New Hampshire HB 1633, adult-use legalization.[30][31] The bill passed by 239-136 house vote on April 11, 2024.[32] It was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 8, with 36 pages of amendments,[33] then passed by the senate on May 16.[34] An amended bill was returned from bicameral conference committee on June 5.[35][36] On June 13, the bill passed 14-10 in the New Hampshire Senate, then was tabled (killed) in the House.[37][38]

Around January 7, the Hawaii Attorney General released an over 300-page draft legalization bill to be considered by the state legislature.[39] A state senate legalization bill, SB3335, was introduced on January 24.[40] Hawaii SB 2487 was introduced around January 26.[41] On February 13, SB3335 was passed by both the Human Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee committee, and was on its way for a second reading in the state senate.[42] By the end of February, Ways and Means had passed the bill and it was cleared for a third reading.[43] The state senate passed the bill on March 5.[44][45] By March 19, the senate bill had cleared all house committees it was assigned to but one, the house finance committee, prior to a house floor vote.[46]

In January, Washington state legislator Shelley Kloba introduced HB 2194, a bill that would allow home grow.[47] The bill was killed in the House Appropriations Committee.[48]

Virginia SB 448, allowing regulated sales in the state where possession was legalized in 2021, was introduced by state senator Aaron Rouse in 2023 and was advanced by committee in January 2024.[49] It was approved by a second committee on January 31,[50] before the final Finance and Appropriations Committee hearing that precedes a possible floor vote.

Also in Virginia, SB 696, is aimed at individuals charged with felonies associated with marijuana prior to July 1, 2021 be released.[51]

South Carolina Senate Bill 0423, the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act legalizing medical cannabis, was reintroduced on January 19 by Tom Davis (R).[52][53] A special order on the bill received two thirds majority vote of the state senate on February 7, bypassing further committees and debate before a full floor vote.[54][55] The bill was passed by the senate on February 14.[56]

Kentucky HB 420 to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use was introduced by Keturah Herron on January 31.[57]

West Virginia House Bill 4873 to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use was introduced by Joey Garcia and six other house delegates.[58]

In the annual budget address, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, requested the legislature to legalize cannabis to bring in $250 million annual revenue and eliminate diversion of law enforcement resources from higher priorities.[59][60] Pennsylvania HB 2210, legalization was introduced by sponsor Amen Brown and referred to Health Committee 2024-04-09; the matching senate bill SB 846 dates from 2023.[61][62]

The Florida Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 1 that the Florida marijuana legalization initiative, 2024 Florida Amendment 3, would appear on the November ballot.[63]

On April 25, the North Dakota Secretary of State approved an adult-use legalization initiative, supported by New Economic Frontier, for signature collection. It could appear on the 2024 or 2025 ballot.[64]

On May 7, South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws delivered 29,000 voter signatures to the South Dakota Secretary of State, enough to get the initiative on the ballot if at least 60% are validated.[65] It was certified for the 2024 ballot on June 3.[66]

On a 49-4 vote, the California Assembly passed a bill, AB 1775, allowing cannabis lounges on May 20.[67] The bill was passed with amendments by the state senate on August 27, then re-approved by the assembly on August 28.[68] Another bill, AB 1111, was approved by both chambers, and would allow sales by farmers at temporary events such as the California State Fair.[68] Governor Newsom signed the lounge bill into law on September 30,[69] and vetoed AB 1111.[70]

Nebraska initiative measures 437 and 438 were approved by voters on November 5, legalizing medical cannabis and establishing Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission as the state regulatory agency.[71]

Tribal actions

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Under the legalization referendum approved by tribal members in 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians began recreational cannabis sales on tribal land in North Carolina on September 7.[72]

References

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  1. ^ Maureen Meehan (January 3, 2024). "DEA To Congress: We Hold 'Final Authority' On Cannabis Rescheduling, Overruling Biden's Health Authorities". Benzinga – via MSN.
  2. ^ Montague, Zach (March 8, 2024). "Biden Makes a Rare Mention of Marijuana in the State of the Union". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Simakis, Michelle (March 8, 2024). "Biden 1st President to Mention 'Marijuana' During SOTU Since Reagan". Cannabis Business Times.
  4. ^ Zeke Miller; Joshua Goodman; Jim Mustian; Lindsay Whitehurst (March 22, 2019). "US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say". Associated Press News.
  5. ^ "Navy Now Forgiving Recruits' Prior Marijuana Use as It Looks to Cut More Losses at Boot Camp". Military.com. February 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Lankford calls on CBP to reverse policy on marijuana use for recruits". Office of Senator James Lankford. April 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Londoño, Ernesto (January 27, 2024). "A Drug Test Cost a D.E.A. Agent His Job. He Sued, and Got It Back". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Bink, Addy. "Where do Trump, Harris stand on marijuana policy?". Waco, Texas: KWKT – via MSN. Harris said she believes "we have come to a point where we have to understand that we need to legalize it and stop criminalizing this behavior"...she went further than President Joe Biden by expressing support for full legalization ... [And Trump said] that he would work on marijuana reform if he is elected to a second term, expressing support for rescheduling the drug and working "with Congress to pass common sense laws."
  9. ^ Citrin-Safadi, Alexandra (October 21, 2024). "The Rare Bipartisan Issue in This Year's Election: Recreational Weed". The Wall Street Journal. For the first time, marijuana reform has bipartisan support from presidential candidates, as both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have voiced support for easing restrictions around the drug and reclassifying it
  10. ^ https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/FINALSMOKEFREEQA.PDF
  11. ^ https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3671
  12. ^ https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7094
  13. ^ Samantha Gilstrap (January 25, 2024). "Bill would permit marijuana use in federally assisted public housing". WUSA-TV.
  14. ^ COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024 (conference copy), U.S. House of Representatives, accessed March 7, 2024
  15. ^ "Joyce, Jeffries Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Prepare for Inevitable End to Federal Cannabis Prohibition" (Press release). Dave Joyce. April 13, 2023.
  16. ^ Gelsi, Steve (April 10, 2024). "Senators Chuck Schumer, Ron Wyden and Cory Booker pushing cannabis legalization bill". Market Watch.
  17. ^ https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr8070/BILLS-118hr8070eh.pdf
  18. ^ https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Support/Culture%20Resilience/DDD/Drug%20Use%20THC%20%20Fact%20Sheet.March%202023.pdf
  19. ^ "S.4711 -- all actions". congress.gov. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  20. ^ "Committee Passes the DOOBIE Act". Official website. Office of Senator Gary Peters. September 18, 2024.
  21. ^ "Bill eliminating cannabis-use discrimination for federal job seekers moves on to Senate". Grand Rapids, Michigan: WXMI. September 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "Marijuana drive-thru, internet and phone sales could soon be legal in Anchorage". YouTube. 6 December 2023.
  23. ^ "APD chief speaks out as MOA considers changes to marijuana laws". YouTube. 5 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Anchorage Assembly votes down drive-thru cannabis sales and free samples for now".
  25. ^ Dixon, Ken. "Lawsuits filed against CT distributors, shops for illicit cannabis". Ct Insider.
  26. ^ Phil Pendleton (January 3, 2024). "Dozens of bills filed in opening days of 2024 Kentucky legislature". Lexington: WKYT – via MSN.
  27. ^ Ben Adlin (January 4, 2024). "New Kentucky Bill Would Legalize Marijuana Use, Possession And Home Cultivation—But Not Sales". Marijuana Moment.
  28. ^ "Wisconsin governor who called for marijuana legalization says he'll back limited GOP proposal". Associated Press. January 5, 2023.
  29. ^ Scott Bauer (January 8, 2024). "Wisconsin Republicans' medical marijuana plan gets lukewarm reception from Evers, lawmakers". Associated Press News.
  30. ^ "2024 New Hampshire Cannabis Bills". Marijuana Policy Project. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  31. ^ HB 1633, LegiScan, accessed February 13, 2024
  32. ^ Porter, Steven (April 11, 2024). "Cannabis legalization bill passes N.H. House, but lacks governor's support". Boston Globe – via MSN.
  33. ^ Landrigan, Kevin (May 9, 2024). "Legal pot bill clears first of many Senate hurdles". New Hampshire Union Leader – via Yahoo! News.
  34. ^ Mary McIntyre; Rick Ganley (May 17, 2024). "Senate passes bill that would legalize recreational marijuana". New Hampshire Public Radio.
  35. ^ Tracy, Paula (June 6, 2024). "LEGALIZE IT! Senate and House Agree To Historic Adult Cannabis Sales". InDepthNH.org.
  36. ^ Timmins - New Hampshire Bulletin, Annmarie (June 7, 2024). "Marijuana legalization compromise reached. House, Senate to consider changes". Hampshire Bulletin – via New Hampshire Public Radio.
  37. ^ "HB1633-FN-A bill docket". New Hampshire General Court official website. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  38. ^ Josh Rogers (June 13, 2024). "After months of debate, NH House shelves plan to legalize marijuana in state". New Hampshire Public Radio.
  39. ^ JOHN BURNETT (January 7, 2024). "AG releases draft bill for pot legalization; lists best practices to minimize risks". Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Hilo.
  40. ^ SB3335 status, Hawaii state legislature official website, accessed February 14, 2024
  41. ^ Rona Navales (January 26, 2024). "New Hawaii marijuana bills are proposed". Honolulu: KITV.
  42. ^ Mizuo, Ashley (February 14, 2024). "Bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Hawaiʻi makes progress in the Senate". Hawaii Public Radio.
  43. ^ Grunwald, Emma (March 2, 2024). "Senate committees advance marijuana legalization bill". Bih Island Now.
  44. ^ Lester Black. "'Inevitable': Hawaii might legalize pot because of this reason". SF Gate – via MSN.
  45. ^ Ashley Mizuo (March 6, 2024). "Key deadline at the state legislature determines which measures move forward". Hawaii Public Radio.
  46. ^ Martinez, Jolanie (March 19, 2024). "Legalization effort for recreational cannabis moves further at state capitol than ever before". KHNL.
  47. ^ "Washington State Bill Proposes Legal Marijuana Grows at Home". Pasco, Washington: KFLD. January 11, 2024.
  48. ^ McKay, John (February 12, 2024). "WA Homegrown Pot Proposed Bill Dies in Legislative Committee". Pasco, Washington: KFLD.
  49. ^ Melissa Schiller (January 26, 2024). "Virginia Senate Committee Approves Proposal to Create Commercial Adult-Use Cannabis Market". Cannabis Business Times. The Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Subcommittee on Cannabis considered two competing measures and ultimately advanced Sen. Aaron Rouse's Senate Bill 448 after merging it with Sen. Adam Ebbin's Senate Bill 423. It then passed in committee.
  50. ^ "SB 448 Cannabis control – Senate: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (7-Y 5-N 3-A)". Legislative Information System. State of Virginia. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  51. ^ "LIS > Bill Tracking > SB696 > 2024 session".
  52. ^ Steineker, Whitt; Robinson, J. Hunter (February 1, 2023), "If at first you don't succeed: Updated Medical Cannabis Bill Filed in South Carolina", National Law Review
  53. ^ "SB 0423 bill history". South Carolina Legislature. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  54. ^ Brams, Sophie (February 7, 2024). "Medical marijuana bill under consideration again in South Carolina". Charleston, South Carolina: WCBD-TV.
  55. ^ Lange, Tony. "South Carolina Senate Fast-Tracks Medical Cannabis Bill in Special Order". Cannabis Business Times.
  56. ^ Green, Mary (February 14, 2024). "Medical marijuana bill passes S.C. Senate, heads to House". WMBF-TV – via MSN.
  57. ^ Grapevine, Rebecca (January 31, 2024). "HB 420 would legalize recreational marijuana in Kentucky. Here's what the bill says". Cincinnati Enquirer.
  58. ^ Gilmartin, Tanner (January 26, 2024). "New bill introduced to legalize Marijuana in West Virginia". Weston, West Virginia: WDTV. House Bill 4873 proposes the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older in West Virginia.
  59. ^ "Gov. Josh Shapiro calls on lawmakers to legalize marijuana". Lancaster, Pennsylvania: WGAL. February 6, 2024.
  60. ^ "Governor Shapiro's 2024–25 budget address as prepared". Official website. Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania. February 6, 2024.
  61. ^ Pennsylvania HB 2210 bill history, Pennsylvania legislature official website
  62. ^ Karbal, Ian (April 13, 2024). "Pa. house subcommittee explores adding equity component to potential cannabis legislation". Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
  63. ^ Benson, Chris. "Florida high court approves November ballot questions on abortion, adult-use marijuana". UPI – via MSN.
  64. ^ Dura, Jack (April 25, 2024). "Recreational marijuana backers can gather signatures for North Dakota ballot initiative". Associated Press News.
  65. ^ Lange, Tony (May 8, 2024). "South Dakota Group Submits 29K Signatures for 2024 Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Measure". Cannabis Business Times.
  66. ^ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/south-dakota-residents-to-vote-on-legalizing-recreational-marijuana/ar-BB1nze56
  67. ^ Wick, Julia. "California Assembly passes bill allowing Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes". Los Angeles Times – via MSN.
  68. ^ a b "California lawmakers approve bills to allow cannabis cafes, let farmers sell weed at certain events". Sacramento: KCRA. August 30, 2024.
  69. ^ Black, Lester (September 30, 2024). "Newsom signs cannabis law backed by Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Maher". SFGATE. San Francisco Chronicle.
  70. ^ "California: Governor Signs Legislation Permitting Live Events at Cannabis Cafes, Other Measures". NORML News. NORML. October 3, 2024.
  71. ^ James Powel; Greta Cross; Julia Gomez (November 6, 2024). "Follow marijuana election results across Florida, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota". USA TODAY – via MSN.
  72. ^ "Recreational marijuana sales begin on North Carolina tribal land, drug illegal in state otherwise". Associated Press. September 7, 2024.

Further reading

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