U.S. Congress: Every Cannabis-Related Bill Filed in 2025

While most of the proposals are stand-alone bills, some are tied to larger appropriations packages. With that in mind, below is a breakdown of the key marijuana- and hemp-related legislation currently pending in Congress.

Reintroduced April 17 by Representatives Dave Joyce (R‑OH), Max Miller (R‑OH), and Dina Titus (D‑NV), the STATES 2.0 Act would amend the Controlled Substances Act to shield individuals and businesses that comply with state or tribal marijuana laws from federal interference. It also permits interstate cannabis commerce between authorized jurisdictions, allows marijuana enterprises to claim standard federal tax deductions, and mandates the U.S. Attorney General to issue a rule within 180 days to formally exclude qualifying state and tribal programs from federal prohibition. Notably, on August 8, Rep. Val Hoyle (D‑OR) joined as the sixth bipartisan cosponsor.

Sponsored by Representative Brian Mast (R-FL), this bipartisan measure would empower VA physicians to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it’s legal by repealing VA regulations that currently prohibit even discussing medical cannabis in jurisdictions that authorize its use. A version of the Veterans Equal Access Act was included in the military spending bill that has passed both the House and Senate, but must survive a conference committee before being sent to President Trump.

Filed by Representative Greg Steube (R-FL), this legislation would prohibit the VA from denying veterans benefits solely because they use medical marijuana consistent with state law. It further grants VA physicians the ability to discuss cannabis as a treatment option with their patients.

An amendment inserted into this roughly $1.5-trillion appropriations package (passed in the House by a vote of 290–116 and in the Senate 87 to 9) would bar the VA from enforcing internal policies that stop its doctors from recommending marijuana. Modeled on the Veterans Equal Access Act, the amendment has strong bipartisan backing and now awaits approval through a conference committee.

Introduced alongside the STATES 2.0 Act, the PREPARE Act would establish a federal commission tasked with coordinating the creation of a national regulatory framework in anticipation of federal marijuana legalization. The commission’s mandate would include aligning state laws with future federal policy to ensure a smoother transition.

Sponsored by Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), this bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I substance accurately reflects modern scientific evidence and its implications for research access.

Introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), together with Representative Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), this bill would disallow federal tax deductions for marijuana businesses—even in the event of rescheduling—making it the only cannabis-related bill this year designed to further restrict the industry.

An amendment within this appropriations legislation aims to ban all consumable hemp products containing detectable THC, effectively outlawing the hemp-derived THC market (e.g., delta-8, THCA) nationwide, though enforcement would be delayed by one year. It passed the House and has the support of Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), but has stalled in the Senate after Senator Rand Paul threatened to tank the overall bill.

Introduced by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), this proposal seeks to increase the THC threshold for hemp from 0.3% to 1%, shift testing requirements from raw plant material to finished products, and streamline transport documentation—thus relaxing regulations for hemp farmers and manufacturers.

Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) on August 12 reintroduce his Marijuana 1-to-3 Act following President Donald Trump’s comments about potentially rescheduling cannabis within “the next few weeks.” The bill would move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, removing Section 280E tax restrictions for state-licensed businesses and easing some federal marketing limits.

Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH), co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, has confirmed that the SAFER Banking Act will be refiled soon. The legislation, previously passed by the House seven times with broad bipartisan support, would protect financial institutions that serve state-legal marijuana businesses from federal penalties and address “debanking” caused by outdated reputational risk claims. Joyce said earlier this month, “It’s time to push it across the finish line,” noting that codifying banking protections remains a top priority for the caucus.