Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level of the United States. The plant and its byproducts, instead, are governed by a patchwork of laws that vary state by state.
Some U.S. lawmakers have put forth efforts to keep the legislative gears churning in relation to marijuana and hemp.
Last year, a flurry of marijuana-related bills were introduced or reintroduced from prior sessions. They included the “Path to Marijuana Reform” package of legislation aimed at protecting and preserving existing state-based cannabis programs, and creating a framework for the federal regulation of marijuana.
Other cannabis-specific bills introduced spanned topics such as descheduling, research, decriminalization, water rights, student loans and banking.
Last year also saw the formation of the first-ever Congressional Cannabis Caucus. Established by four congressmen, the bipartisan group was created to further congressional action on cannabis.
Here’s a rundown of the cannabis bills before the 115th U.S. Congress:
Deep dive: How Congress is getting serious about cannabis in 2017
Eye on Colorado: See what’s new in marijuana and hemp laws
Federal marijuana bills
Industrial Hemp Water Rights Act
H.R. 4164, introduced Oct. 27, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado
Co-sponsors: Eight (as of Oct. 27, 2017)
Summary: “To provide that the owner of a water right may use the water for the cultivation of industrial hemp, if otherwise authorized by state law.”
Track the progress of House Bill 4164
Marijuana Effective Drug Study Act of 2017 (MEDS Act)
S. 1803, introduced Sept. 13, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
(Reintroduced legislation from 2016, S. 3077)
Summary: A bill to improve medical research on marijuana.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1803
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Marijuana Justice Act
S. 1689, introduced Aug. 1, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for a new rule regarding the application of the Act to marihuana, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1689
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Industrial Hemp Farming Act
H.R. 3530, introduced July 28, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of House Bill 3530
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State Marihuana And Regulatory Tolerance (SMART) Enforcement Act
H.R. 3534, introduced July 28, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Washington
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 3746 )
Summary: To make the Controlled Substances Act inapplicable with respect to marihuana in States that have legalized marijuana and have in effect a statewide regulatory regime to protect certain Federal interests, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of House Bill 3534
Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2017
H.R. 3391, introduced July 25, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Andy Harris, R-Maryland
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to make marijuana accessible for use by qualified marijuana researchers for medical purposes, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of House Bill 3391
Industrial Hemp Water Rights Act
S. 1576, introduced July 18, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado
Summary: A bill to provide that the owner of a water right may use the water for the cultivation of industrial hemp, if otherwise authorized by state law.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1576
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Second Chance for Students Act
H.R. 3252, introduced July 14, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Bill Foster, D-Illinois
Summary: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize certain students in retain financial aid eligibility while completing a drug rehabilitation program. (Includes an exception that allows students who were convicted of possession of marijuana without the intent to distribute to remain eligible for financial aid if they’re completing a drug rehabilitation program)
Track the progress of House Bill 3252
CARERS: Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States Act (bicameral)
S. 1374, introduced June 15, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey
H.R. 2920, introduced June 15, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tennessee
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – S. 683 and H.R. 1538)
Summary: A bill to extend the principle of federalism to State drug policy, provide access to medical marijuana, and enable research into the medicinal properties of marijuana.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1374 and House Bill 2920
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Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act
S. 1276, introduced May 25, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California
(Reintroduced legislation from 2016 – S. 3269)
Summary: A bill to require the Attorney General to make a determination as to whether cannabidiol should be a controlled substance and listed in a schedule under the Controlled Substances Act and to expand research on the potential medical benefits of cannabidiol and other marihuana components.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1276
Respect States and Citizens’ Rights Act of 2017
H.R. 2528, introduced May 18, 2017
Primary sponsor(s): Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colorado; Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colorado
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 3629; 2013, H.R. 964; 2012, H.R. 6606)
Summary: A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide that federal law shall not preempt state law.
Track the progress of House Bill 2528
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Separate cannabidiol from marijuana in the CSA (bicameral)
Therapeutic Hemp Medical Access Act of 2017 – S.1008, introduced May 2, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado
Charlotte’s Web Medical Access Act of 2017 – H.R. 2273, introduced May 1, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pennsylvania
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – S. 1333 and H.R. 1635)
Summary: A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude cannabidiol and cannabidiol-rich plants from the definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1008 and House Bill 2273
Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act (bicameral)
H.R. 2215, introduced April 27, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colorado
S. 1152, introduced May 17, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – S. 1726 and H.R. 2076)
Summary: To create protections for depository institutions that provide financial services to cannabis-related legitimate businesses, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 1152 and House Bill 2215
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Rescheduling legislation (official title TBA)
H.R. 2020, introduced April 6, 2017
Primary sponsor(s): Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida; Rep. Darren Soto, D-Florida
(New legislation)
Summary: To provide for the rescheduling of marijuana into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
Track the progress of House Bill 2020
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Better Drive Act
H.R. 1952, introduced April 5, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas
(New legislation)
Summary: To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the revocation or suspension of drivers’ licenses of individuals convicted of drug offenses, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of House Bill 1952
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Small Business Tax Equity Act (bicameral)
S. 777, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon
H.R. 1810, introduced March 30, 2017
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 1855)
Primary sponsor: Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Florida
Summary: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow deductions and credits relating to expenditures in connection with marijuana sales conducted in compliance with state law.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 777 and House Bill 1810
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Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act (bicameral)
S. 776, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon
H.R. 1823, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 1014)
Summary: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the taxation and regulation of marijuana products, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 776 and House Bill 1823
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Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act (bicameral)
S. 780, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon
H.R. 1824, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon
(New legislation)
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to reduce the gap between Federal and State marijuana policy, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of Senate Bill 780 and House Bill 1824
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The Veterans Equal Access Act
H.R. 1820, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 667)
Summary: To authorize Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in State marijuana programs.
Track the progress of House Bill 1820
Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act
H.R. 1841, introduced March 30, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 1013)
Summary: To provide for the regulation of marijuana products, and for other purposes. (Full bill text not yet available,)
Track the progress of House Bill 1841
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Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017
H.R. 1227, introduced Feb. 27, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Thomas A. Garrett Jr., R-Virginia
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – S. 2237)
Summary: To limit the application of federal laws to the distribution and consumption of marihuana, and for other purposes. Calls for the deregulation of marijuana. Prohibits inter-state shipping of marijuana.
Track the progress of House Bill 1227
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Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017
H.R. 975, introduced Feb. 7, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California
(Reintroduced legislation 2015 – H.R. 1940)
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for a new rule regarding the application of the act to marihuana, and for other purposes
Track the progress of House Bill 975
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LUMMA (Legitimate Use of Medicinal Marihuana Act)
H.R. 714, introduced Jan. 27, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. H. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 2373)
Summary: To provide for the legitimate use of medicinal marihuana in accordance with the laws of the various states.
Track the progress of House Bill 714
Compassionate Access Act
H.R. 715, introduced Jan. 27, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. H. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 1774)
Summary: To provide for the rescheduling of marihuana, the medical use of marihuana in accordance with state law, and the exclusion of cannabidiol from the definition of marihuana, and for other purposes.
Track the progress of House Bill 715
States’ Medical Marijuana Property Rights Act
H.R. 331, introduced Jan. 5, 2017
Primary sponsor: Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California
(Reintroduced legislation from 2015 – H.R. 262)
Summary: To amend the Controlled Substances Act so as to exempt real property from civil forfeiture due to medical marijuana-related conduct that is authorized by state law.
Track the progress of House Bill 331
