5 days ago
Republican Congressman Introduces Bill To Reschedule Cannabis
GOP Rep. Greg Steube of Florida this week introduced a bill that would reclassify cannabis under federal drugs laws. Steube filed the measure, dubbed the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act, in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, according to a report from online cannabis news source Marijuana Moment.
If passed, the bill would remove marijuana from Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and place it in Schedule III, a less restrictive classification that would likely ease research and improve the business climate for regulated cannabis companies.
Bill Codifies Biden Administration Cannabis Rescheduling Proposal
Steube's bill would have the same effect as an October 2022 proposal developed by the Department of Health and Human Services under the Biden administration. A decision on that proposal, which is still pending with the Drug Enforcement Administration after progress stalled in January, is expected within 'the next few weeks,' according to a statement from President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Steube has introduced the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act (H.R. 4963) in the House each of the past four legislative sessions. The two-page measure mandates that 'the Attorney General of the United States shall, by order not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, transfer marijuana…from schedule I of such Act to schedule III' of the CSA.
The Florida Republican announced on Monday via a post on social media that he would be introducing the cannabis rescheduling bill again for the current session.
'It makes zero sense that federal law treats marijuana the same as heroin and LSD,' Steube said in a post on the platform X. 'It is even more ridiculous that cocaine is technically classified as less restrictive than marijuana.'
'This week, I'm reintroducing my Marijuana 1-to-3 Act to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This is a common-sense change that will finally allow real scientific research into its medicinal value and ensure our drug laws reflect reality,' he added. 'I urge my colleagues and the Trump administration to get it done.'
Cannabis CEO Sees 'Rare Opportunity' For Trump
Peter Barsoom, founder and CEO of cannabis edibles brand 1906, says that Steube's bill would benefit consumers as well as regulated cannabis companies.
'Codifying cannabis reform through legislation would give the industry the stability it needs to invest, innovate, and expand access, while ensuring patients and consumers nationwide can benefit from safe, regulated products,' Barsoom writes in an emailed statement.
'Millions of Americans already use it to sleep better, manage pain, reduce anxiety, and improve quality of life – often as a safer alternative to alcohol or more dangerous drugs,' he added. 'With this bill, the Trump administration has a rare opportunity to end decades of wasted tax dollars, needless arrests, and blocked medical breakthroughs.'
Trump Administration On Rescheduling Coming Soon
Steube filed his bill only one day after Trump made his first public comments about cannabis policy reform since taking office in January. On Monday, the president said during a press conference that his administration will soon decide on the rescheduling proposal.
'Some people like it. Some people hate it—people hate the whole concept of marijuana, because it does bad for the children [and] it does bad for people that are older than children,' Trump said at the press conference. 'But we're looking at reclassification, and we'll make a determination over the next few weeks—and that determination, hopefully, will be the right one.'
