November 15, 2021

CPEAR Applauds States Reform Act Introduction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Reform (CPEAR) applauded the introduction of the ‘States Reform Act,’ which federally decriminalizes cannabis, allowing states to make their own decisions regarding cannabis legalization. Andrew Freedman, CPEAR executive director, released the following statement after the proposal was introduced:  

“The Coalition for Cannabis Policy Education and Regulation welcomes the introduction of the States Reform Act by Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) and thanks the Congresswoman for her courageous and thoughtful leadership. Representative Mace has rightfully recognized that cannabis regulation is not a Democrat or Republican issue, the overwhelming majority of Americans support cannabis legalization, and adult-use cannabis is now a reality for states and communities throughout the country. Her proposal respects the will of the states to make their own choices about cannabis laws. 

“Additionally, the bill provides for training for law enforcement officials that we hope will be used to better focus criminal justice efforts and provide national standards, resources, and training for safety issues like driving under the influence of drugs. 

“Representative Mace’s bill represents a growing consensus on the importance of federal cannabis reform and the need to act sooner rather than later to establish guardrails on the market, base the industry’s evolution on science, and work in partnership with state and local authorities. Our coalition looks forward to working with Representative Mace and her colleagues to advance this legislation.”

 

The States Reform Act aims to: 

  • Federally decriminalize cannabis from Schedule I and defers oversight and regulation to states.
  • Establish regulations for cannabis similar to federal regulation of alcohol. This includes USDA oversight for raw cannabis, ATF & TTB for cannabis products.
  • Institute a 3 percent excise tax structure to fund law enforcement, small businesses, and veterans mental health initiatives.  
  • Protect children and young adults under the age of 21 from cannabis products by establishing advertising rules across all states. Moreover, the bill makes cannabis illegal for anyone under 21 except for medical use.  
  • Address the nation’s legacy of disproportionate enforcement of cannabis laws on minority communities across the country by expunging the criminal records of individuals convicted of non-violent cannabis offenses with notable exceptions for cartel members and individuals convicted of driving under influence.

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About the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation 

A 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) works to advance comprehensive policy solutions for cannabis legalization and regulation. The Coalition strives to be a trusted, science-driven resource for lawmakers and the larger stakeholder community, developing responsible policies that provide access to cannabis while protecting consumers and patients, barring underage use, upholding public health and safety, and promoting social equity. Comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, the Coalition brings unique perspectives to the table to thoughtfully address what a national, legal cannabis industry should look like. To learn more, visit www.CPEAR.org and follow us on Twitter. 

 

Press Contact: Chanse Jones