The Congressional Cannabis Caucus along with Bainbridge township GOP representative Dave Joyce introduced legislation on Thursday that stands to help states that have legalized cannabis. The new legislation introduced will offer protection for states such as Ohio by keeping the federal government out of their business regarding cannabis.
Representative Joyce was quoted saying “I think it’s time we get the federal government out of the states’ business.” The new legislation is referred to as the “Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States” Act.
The wording in this act would ultimately amend the Controlled Substances Act. The amendment would keep those who comply with tribal and state cannabis laws safe from the strong arm of the feds. It would restrict those under the age of 18 from working in cannabis businesses and place a ban on medical cannabis distribution for anyone under the age of 21.
Cannabis Businesses Are Banking on Support for the Act
There are also provisions that could potentially allow easier access for legal cannabis businesses to work with financial institutions without being in violation of current federal laws. This would not only be great news for cannabis businesses but great news for the many ancillary services that work with the legal cannabis sector too.
“I have every confidence that if that happens, President Trump will sign the STATE’s act because as we have seen all across the country, states that embraced cannabis reform are seeing a reduction in opioid deaths and a reduction in opioid prescriptions. It turns out that in our country freedom is popular and I’m for more of it.”- Matt Gaetz
Members of Congress from coast to coast ranging from Oregon’s Earl Blumenauer to Florida’s Matt Gaetz are backing this proposal. Matt Gaetz believes the diversity of support for this proposal will cause Congressional leadership to take notice ultimately leading to the passing of the bill.
