Cannabis Industry Stakeholders, Policymakers Share Perspectives on States Reform Act
litescience 2021-11-15
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace unveiled the legislation Nov. 15 to allow state governments to regulate cannabis products through the health-and-safety oversights of their choosing.
During a Nov. 15 press conference, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina who took office at the beginning of the year, unveiled the States Reform Act (SRA), legislation that would allow state governments to regulate cannabis products through the health-and-safety oversights of their choosing.
The 131-page draft bill proposes a 3% federal cannabis excise tax, with a 10-year moratorium on excise tax increases to maintain a competitive marketplace.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which operates under the U.S. Department of the Treasury, would federally regulate the interstate commerce of cannabis products, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would oversee medical cannabis.
The legislation also includes expungement provisions, but cartel members, agents of cartel gangs or those convicted of driving under the influence would be excluded from seeking expungement.
Here, Cannabis Business Times and Cannabis Dispensary have rounded up comments from various cannabis industry stakeholders and policymakers regarding the SRA.
| “Over two-thirds of Americans support federal cannabis legalization, and we are thrilled to see the comprehensive legislation that was introduced today by emerging leader, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. As Americans seek to engage in the bipartisan effort to undo the unfair and misguided cannabis policies that have harmed disadvantaged communities, this legislation will give supporters from the Republican side of the aisle a comprehensive reform effort to champion. |  |
| “We believe it is time for the federal government to get out of the way. Our failed one-size-fits-all approach to cannabis is not working, and so we need states to be able to do what is best for their citizens. Arbitrary and enforcement of federal law is not a permanent solution, and so we need a permanent solution to this policy issue.” - Jeremiah Mosteller, Senior Policy Analyst, Americans for Prosperity |  |
| “First, it is great to see momentum building on both sides of the aisle for federal cannabis policy reform. This bill is a well-measured attempt in the series of legalization bills that have come forward in the past few years. While far-reaching bills like this are essential, as a version of one of them will eventually become law, attention seems misplaced on the idea of creating a 'silver bullet,' a single piece of legislation that will solve the numerous challenges that are a century in the making. |  |