Nancy Mace Strikes Deal With House Speaker For Committee Vote On Her Fed Weed Legalization Bill

Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) agreed to allow a committee debate and vote on a bill to federally legalize marijuana, according to Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).

As reported by Marijuana Moment, in exchange for her support of the proposal to raise the debt ceiling, Mace secured a committee markup of the States Reform Act (SRA), which would end federal marijuana prohibition and ensure that businesses in existing state markets can continue to operate unencumbered by changing federal rules.

The States Reform Act will receive a markup in the House thanks to powerful advocacy by @RepNancyMace. This is incredibly encouraging news and further illustrates the potential for meaningful cannabis reform to advance in this Congress. https://t.co/3Xj3163I19

— US Cannabis Council (@USCannabisCncl) April 26, 2023

Mace’s legislation was not ultimately voted on during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing last year, but she says she secured a commitment to action from McCarthy, despite Republicans being in control of the House.

The SRA bill incorporates equity provisions such as expungement for people with non-violent cannabis convictions and calls for an excise tax on marijuana.

Originally, the proposed legislation intended to treat cannabis similarly to alcohol at the federal level, remove it from the Controlled Substances Act and offer retroactive relief to those penalized for past marijuana-related offenses.

Mace, a cannabis reform advocate for years, shared some valuable regulatory insights at last year's Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. 

Image by El Planteo