by Michelle Rutter Friberg (NCIA’s Deputy Chief of Government Relations).
Although it started slowly, the 118th Congress has finally entered full swing. Let’s take an in-depth look at the most recent cannabis and government relations news from Washington, D.C span>
Bills are being introduced
All legislation must be reintroduced in a new Congress. A couple of cannabis bills were reintroduced over the past few weeks: one from Congressman Greg Steube, R-FL; and one from Alex Mooney, R-WV.
Rep. Mooney, the first to present a cannabis bill in Congress’ 118th Congress, released his Second Amendment Protection Act. The Gun Rights and Marijuana Act (GRAM), was filed last Congress by the late Rep. Don Young (R.-AK). Although the full text of this new measure isn’t yet available, it is expected to look similar to the one Mooney introduced in Congress 116th Congress. A judge in Oklahoma declared the ban unconstitutional late last week, despite federal law prohibiting all Americans from possessing or purchasing marijuana.
Two bills that Congressman Steube introduced were the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act (Visa) and the Marijuana 1-to-3 Act (Marijuana 1-to-3 Act). The first prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from denying a veteran any VA benefits due to their participation in state-approved marijuana programs. The VA must ensure that veterans who are participating in approved programs have access to healthcare providers. They will discuss cannabis use with them, adjust treatment plans as necessary, and record any such use in their medical records. Rep. Steube introduced the Marijuana 1 to 3 Act in previous sessions. It seeks to do exactly as the title suggests: to reschedule marijuana to Schedule 3. This reform would not resolve federal conflict with most state laws that include legal cannabis.
Safe Bet?
Although the cannabis industry was devastated by Congress’ failure to pass the SAFE Banking Act last Congress we aren’t giving up! Although the Congressional champions intend to reintroduce SAFE in both chambers of Congress, don’t expect it to look exactly like last session.
The Senate Majority Leader Schumer met last week with a few other Democratic Senators in a closed-door session to discuss the next steps for the bill. According to reports, Senators discussed changing text of the bill in order to reflect some of “SAFE +” language that was negotiated at 2022’s end, including the HOPE Act. The House version may be different.
Committees finally seated
Congress took longer than usual this session to seat committees, especially in the House. However, we now know which members will be responsible for which areas. Politico compiled a comprehensive list. However, I will be paying attention to the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Banking Committee as well as the Appropriations Committees of both chambers.
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The post Bills In Congress, SAFE Banking and House and Senate Committees was first published on The National Cannabis Industry Association.
