List of 2021 United States cannabis reform proposals

The year 2021 started with varying degrees of legalization for unrestricted-THC content cannabis in 34 states, or over half of U.S. states, and continued federal prohibition except for low-THC hemp. Several states considered candidates for 2021 legislation to legalize cannabis for adult use included Connecticut, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia,[1] some of which like New York had already decriminalized. At the federal level, the Democratic party's majority in both houses of the 117th United States Congress was cited by Politico as a likely precondition for Federal legalization in 2021, with the SAFE Banking Act likely to pass.[2]

Legality of cannabis in the United States
  Legal
  Legal for medical use
  Legal for medical use, limited THC content
  Illegal for any use
  D  Decriminalized
Notes:
· Includes laws which have not yet gone into effect.
· Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under federal law.
· Some local jurisdictions and Indian reservations have decriminalization or legalization policies separate from the states they are located in.
· Cannabis is illegal in all federal enclaves (other than hemp).

Legislation and initiatives introduced in 2020 for 2021 sessions
  • Maryland legalization HB0032 was introduced by Jazz Lewis in December 2020 for the 2021 legislative session.[3]
  • A Missouri legalization bill was pre-filed in December 2020 by Republican state legislator Shamed Doga.[4]
  • A "justice roadmap" published by New York state Republican lawmakers in late December 2020 included legalization.[5]

Legislation passed in 2020 pending governor's action in 2021
  • NJ A21 (20R), a legalization and regulation bill, and NJ A1897 (20R), decriminalization, were sent to the governor on December 17. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy said he would conditionally veto the bills if language on underage possession was not reconciled by January 30.[6]

Legislation and initiatives introduced in 2021

State
  • On January 8, Kentucky state representative Jason Nemes (R) introduced legislation that would legalize medical cannabis in the state.[7]
  • On January 20, Idaho S1017 was introduced to raise the allowable THC level in legal cannabidiol (CBD) products from zero[8] to 0.1% THC.[9]
  • On January 21, Florida HB 343 and SB 710, corresponding legalization bills, were announced by their sponsors Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) and Senator Jeff Brandes (R).[10]
  • On January 21, North Dakota HB 1420 was introduced – a legalization and regulation bill for adult use and sponsored by Jason Dockter (R) and co-sponsored by several other Republicans.[11][12]
  • On January 22, Virginia SB 1406, "Marijuana; legalization of simple possession, penalties", sponsored by senators Adam Ebbin and Louise Lucas, was advanced by the state Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee.[13][14] On February 3, SB 1406 and corresponding HB 2312 each were passed by the final committee prior to a floor vote in the Senate and House.[15] Both bills passed on February 5.[16][17] The house and senate bills differ in some details and are likely to be reconciled in the 2021 session, then sent to the state governor who has said he will sign into law.[18]
  • On January 22, the North Dakota Secretary of State approved signature gathering on an initiated constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis, the North Dakota Legalize Marijuana and Allow Home Growth Initiative, which could appear on the November 2022 ballot.[19]
  • On January 22, Washington HB 1019, allowing home grown cannabis for non-medical use, was advanced by the House Commerce and Gaming Committee.[20][21]
  • On January 29, New Jersey A5342 was introduced in committee to address underage penalties in the legalization and decriminalization bills passed in 2020, which had led to threat of veto (see #Legislation passed in 2020 pending governor's action in 2021).[22][23][24]
  • On January 29, Alabama SB46, the Alabama Compassion Act for legalization of medical cannabis, was reintroduced by state senator Tim Melson (R), who is also a physician.[25][26]
  • On February 1, Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL) and Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (DFL) introduced legalization bill HF 600[27][28]
  • On February 1, two New Mexico legalization bills were introduced by Senator Cliff Pirtle (R) and by Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto (D).[29]
  • On February 4, Connecticut House Bill 6377 – co-written by committee chairs representative Robyn Porter and senator Julie Kushner – was introduced in the Labor and Public Employees Committee, to allow home cultivation and establish a state Cannabis Control Commission.[30][31][32]

Federal
  • H.R.365 "To provide for the rescheduling of marijuana into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act" was introduced by Republican representative Greg Steube on January 19.[33]
  • H.R.430 "To prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from denying a veteran benefits administered by the Secretary by reason of the veteran participating in a State-approved marijuana program, and for other purposes" was introduced by Greg Steube on January 21.[34]

See also

References
  1. Godio, Mili (December 30, 2020). "Marijuana Legalization 2021: These U.S. States Could Legalize Weed in 2021". Newsweek.
  2. Fertig, Natalie (January 8, 2021). "Democratic-led Senate could clear a path to marijuana legalization". Politico.
  3. Jordan Clark (December 1, 2020). "Legalizing recreational use of marijuana is on the agenda for 2021".
  4. https://www.kmov.com/news/west-county-state-rep-introduces-bill-to-legalize-marijuana-in-missouri/article_5bfef554-4a3d-11eb-8999-1379a746ae24.html
  5. Corina Cappabianca (December 23, 2020). "NYS Republican leaders outline 2021 priorities". Albany, New York: WTEN.
  6. Sam Sutton (January 27, 2021), "Murphy sets Friday deadline for deal on cannabis legalization, decriminalization", Politico
  7. "Kentucky Lawmakers File Bill To Legalize Medical Marijuana As Governor Steps Up Call For Reform". Marijuana Policy Project. January 8, 2021.
  8. "Cannabidiol (CBD) Drug Information", official website, Idaho Office of Drug Policy, retrieved January 24, 2021
  9. https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2021/legislation/S1017/
  10. Holly Bristow. "'It's really long overdue' Florida lawmakers push to legalize recreational marijuana". Orlando, Florida: WOFL.
  11. Jeremy Turley (January 21, 2021). "GOP lawmakers back bill to legalize pot in North Dakota despite opposing the idea". Grand Forks Herald.
  12. HB 1420 bill history, North Dakota Legislative Branch
  13. Mel Leonor (January 22, 2021). "Marijuana legalization clears key Virginia Senate panel". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  14. "SB 1406 – Marijuana; legalization of simple possession, penalties (2021 session)". Virginia Legislative Information System (bill tracker). Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  15. Sonny Mazzone (February 3, 2021), "Virginia's on the Verge of Legalizing Marijuana", Reason
  16. Sarah Rankin and Denise Lavoie (February 5, 2021). "Virginia lawmakers pass marijuana legalization bills – Virginia lawmakers pass marijuana legalization bills: Both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly have passed legislation that would legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, with retail sales starting several years down the road". Associated Press – via WWBT Richmond.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  17. Daniel Kreps (February 6, 2021), "Virginia Lawmakers Pass Marijuana Legalization Bills – Pending Governor Ralph Northam's signature, dispensaries could open in state beginning 2024, while legalization would start as soon as this summer", Rolling Stone
  18. Gregory S. Schneider and Laura Vozzella (February 5, 2021). "Virginia legislature votes to legalize marijuana, abolish the death penalty". The Washington Post.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  19. "North Dakota Legalize Marijuana and Allow Home Growth Initiative (2022)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  20. "Washington Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Homegrow Bill In Committee". House Democrats sub-site. Washington State Legislature. January 22, 2021.
  21. House Commerce & Gaming Committee Executive Session: HB 1019 - Allowing residential marijuana agriculture. Olympia, Washington: TVW. January 22, 2021. Event occurs at 16:30.
  22. "A5342 – Revises consequences for underage possession or consumption of various forms of cannabis included in legislation passed by both Houses of Legislature; requires AG reports, reviewable by task force, on law enforcement interactions on underage violations". Bills. New Jersey Legislature.
  23. Amanda Hoover (January 29, 2021), "New N.J. legal weed compromise offered with deadline looming for Murphy to act", NJ.com
  24. Sam Sutton (January 29, 2021), "Assembly committee clears cannabis clean-up bill; fate in Senate uncertain", Politico (subscription required)
  25. Chris Moore (January 29, 2021), Alabama Could Finally Legalize Medical Marijuana Under This New Republican Bill, Merry Jane
  26. Prefiled bills (Senate), Alabama state legislature, retrieved January 29, 2021
  27. Zoe Jackson (February 1, 2021). "Recreational marijuana bill is back at Minnesota Capitol". Star-Tribune. Minneapolis.
  28. HF 600 Status in the House for the 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2021), Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, accessed February 1, 2021
  29. Dan Boyd (February 1, 2021). "First cannabis legalization bills filed at Roundhouse". Albuquerque Journal.
  30. CT HB06377, Legiscan, accessed February 6, 2021
  31. Michael Hamad (February 5, 2021). "A new bill places equity provisions at the center of Connecticut's legal marijuana debate; adults would be allowed to grow up to 6 plants". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut.
  32. Connecticut Senate Democrats (February 4, 2021), "Equity Advocates and Labor Chairwomen Robyn Porter and Julie Kushner Introduce Cannabis Equity and Workforce Development Bill", Connecticut legislature official website
  33. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/365
  34. Dan Mitchell (January 27, 2021). "In the Weeds". East Bay Express. Oakland, California.

Further reading
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