U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Brian Mast (R-FL) recently introduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act (H.R. 7513), which seeks to enhance efforts to prepare the federal government for the potential end to cannabis prohibition.
The measure creates a simple and publicly transparent process for the federal government to establish effective regulation enacted upon the termination of the 85-year prohibition of cannabis.
“With 91 percent of Americans supporting either medical or recreational cannabis legalization, it’s time for the federal government to respect the will of our voters – both Democrat and Republican alike – and begin a serious conversation about what a post-prohibition America should look like,” Joyce said. “No matter their opinion on descheduling, most lawmakers agree that the federal government cannot continue to interfere with the rights of the 48 states that have legalized cannabis to some degree.”
Joyce said the PREPARE Act would give lawmakers answers needed to effectively engage regarding cannabis reform to develop a federal regulatory framework ensuring a responsible end to prohibition.
“Americans across the political spectrum recognize that now is the time for cannabis reform,” Jeffries said. “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. 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.”