Free the Weed: A New Bill Could End Federal Prohibition of Marijuana

The most promising marijuana legalization bill to date has been proposed by bipartisan members in congress this week. With the vocal support of President Trump it seems that this bill could truly change the way the United State's handles cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. Specifically, if this bill becomes law it will remove cannabis from the list of scheduled illegal drugs in any state that decides to legalize, removing any threat from federal interference. Most all cannabis dispensaries in currently operating legal states work as cash-only due to necessity, but this bill would remove any restrictions that banks are currently afraid of and allow them to take money as any other business would. The few federal restrictions that would overlap onto all states include keeping recreational cannabis purchases to adults 21 and over, but medical marijuana patients under 21 will be able to access the medication if approved by a doctor. 

If it passes, the STATES – Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States – Act would end the federal prohibition of marijuana and formally enshrine protections for the states that have decided to legalize either recreational or medicinal marijuana. Currently, marijuana is listed as a federally controlled substance, but this bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act – basically, it would remove marijuana from the schedule of illegal drugs in states that choose to legalize. Don Murphy, conservative outreach director of the Marijuana Policy Project, called the bill the "most significant piece of marijuana-related legislation ever introduced in Congress."