U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) recently reintroduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act, which seeks to prepare the federal government for the end of cannabis prohibition.
“With nearly every state adopting its own set of cannabis reforms, an end to federal cannabis prohibition is inevitable,” Joyce said. “Now is the time for the federal government to respect the will of our constituents and begin the conversation on fair and effective cannabis regulation. The PREPARE Act will give lawmakers a bipartisan platform to legislate not only a fair and responsible end to prohibition but also a safer future for our communities.”
Bill provisions include directing federal regulators to develop a regulatory and revenue framework as a means of ensuring the safe production and consumption of cannabis, building upon the Obama and Trump administration’s efforts to remedy the consequences of the war on cannabis, particularly those suffered by minority, low-income, and veteran communities, and helping to ensure absent the physician prescribed treatment of a minor, cannabis remains an adult-only product.
“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. 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,” Jeffries said. “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.”