Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013

Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013
Great Seal of the United States
Full title To decriminalize marijuana at the Federal level, to leave to the States a power to regulate marijuana that is similar to the power they have to regulate alcohol, and for other purposes.
Introduced in 113th United States Congress
Introduced on February 5, 2013
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Polis (D, CO-2)
Number of Co-Sponsors 18
Legislative history

Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 (H.R. 499) is a federal marijuana decriminalization law that was introduced into the United States House of Representatives during the 113th United States Congress.[1] The bill would do three main things. First, it would remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances.[2] Second, the bill would rename the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Firearms and Explosives, granting the renamed agency the authority to regulate marijuana in a similar manner to alcohol (and removing marijuana regulation authority from the Drug Enforcement Administration).[2] Third, the proposed law would require people and companies producing or selling marijuana to purchase permits from the government in order to do so; the purchase price of the permit would help cover the costs of federal regulation of marijuana.[2] The bill is structured in such a way that individual states could make their own decisions about legalizing marijuana on a state level.

Background

The use, sale and possession of cannabis (marijuana) in the United States is illegal under federal law. However, some states have created exemptions for medical cannabis use, as well as decriminalized non-medical cannabis use. In four states, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, the sale and possession of marijuana is legal for both medical and non-medical use. These laws are still somewhat uncertain however, because the states have one year to write laws on distribution and regulation of marijuana.

In July 2009, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, further clarified the federal government's position when he stated that "marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit" and that "legalization is not in the president's vocabulary, and it's not in mine."[3] However, a January 2010 settlement between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM) provides an example confirming the administration policy as communicated by Attorney General Holder, as WAMM reached an agreement to re-open after being shut down by the federal government in 2002.[4][5]

On November 6, 2012, voters in Colorado and Washington approved measures that legalize non-medical use of cannabis—the first states in the nation to do so.[6]

After the election in 2012, the Office of National Drug Control Policy of the Obama administration stated that it "steadfastly opposes legalization of marijuana and other drugs because legalization would increase the availability and use of illicit drugs, and pose significant health and safety risks".[7]

According to a 2013 survey by Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans are in favor of complete or partial legalization of cannabis.[8] The survey showed 52% of respondents support cannabis legalization and 45% do not. College graduates' support increased from 39% to 52% in just three years, the support of self-identified conservative republicans (a group not traditionally supportive of cannabis legalization) has increased to nearly 30%, and bipartisan support has increased across the board.

Provisions of the bill

This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Research Service, a public domain source.[9]

The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 would direct the Attorney General to issue a final order that removes marijuana in any form from all schedules of controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act.[9] It would amend the Controlled Substances Act to:[9]

(1) provide that schedules I, II, III, IV, and V shall consist of the drugs and other substances that are set forth in the respective schedules in part 1308 of title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations;[9]
(2) exempt marijuana from such Act except as provided in this Act;[9]
(3) revise the definition of "felony drug offense" to exclude conduct relating to marijuana;[9] and
(4) eliminate marijuana from provisions setting forth penalties applicable to prohibited conduct under such Act.[9]

The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 would prohibit shipping or transporting marijuana from any place outside a jurisdiction of the United States into such a jurisdiction in which its possession, use, or sale is prohibited.[9]

The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 would also eliminate marijuana as:

(1) a controlled substance for purposes of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act or the National Forest System Drug Control Act of 1986,[9]
(2) a dangerous drug for purposes of federal criminal code provisions authorizing interception of communications,[9] and
(3) a targeted drug for purposes of provisions of the national youth anti-drug media campaign under the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998.[9]

The bill would amend the Federal Alcohol Administration Act to set forth procedures for the issuance and revocation by the United States Secretary of the Treasury of permits for importing, shipping or selling in interstate or foreign commerce, purchasing for resale, producing, packaging, or warehousing marijuana.[9] The bill would prohibit any person from engaging in such conduct without a permit, subject to a $1,000 fine and/or a $500 payment.[9] It would also establish criteria for ineligible applicants and disqualifying offenses.

The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 would subject marijuana to the provisions that apply to: (1) intoxicating liquors under the Original Packages Act, the Webb-Kenyon Act, and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000; and (2) distilled spirits under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.[9]

The bill would grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same authorities with respect to marijuana as it has for alcohol.[9] It would transfer functions of the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) relating to marijuana enforcement to the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).[9] The bill would rename: (1) ATF as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Firearms and Explosives; and (2) the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Tax and Trade Bureau.[9]

Finally, the bill would direct the Comptroller General to review federal laws, regulations, and policies to determine if changes are desirable in light of this Act.[9]

Procedural history

The Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013 was introduced into the United States House of Representatives on February 5, 2013 by Rep. Jared Polis (D, CO-2).[9] It was referred to the United States House Committee on the Judiciary, the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the United States House Committee on Ways and Means, the United States House Committee on Natural Resources, and the United States House Committee on Agriculture immediately.[9] It was subsequently referred to the United States House Energy Subcommittee on Health (February 8, 2013), the United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation (February 14, 2013), United States House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry (February 25, 2013), and the United States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations (February 28, 2013).[9]

Debate and discussion

Organizations such as National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) supported the bill.[1]

Co-Sponsors

The Bill currently has 18 co-sponsors, 17 of which are Democrats and 1 Republican.

See also

Notes/References

  1. 1 2 Sheets, Connor Adams (5 April 2013). "Will HR 499 Pot Bill Finally Legalize Marijuana In America?". International Business Times. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "GovTrack's Bill Summary - H.R. 499". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Kerlikowske: Legal pot 'not in my vocabulary'". KOMO News. 2009-08-07. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
  4. ↑ "Santa Cruz medical pot collective settles lawsuit with feds - San Jose Mercury News". Mercurynews.com. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  5. ↑ "Santa Cruz medical pot collective settles lawsuit with feds". Inside Bay Area. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  6. ↑ "Colorado, Washington first states to legalize recreational pot". Reuters. 7 November 2012.
  7. ↑ Marijuana Resource Center Office of National Drug Control Policy
  8. ↑ http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/04/majority-now-supports-legalizing-marijuana/
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2013, H.R. 499 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 20 September 2013.

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