H.R.2935 - Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-prohibition Adult-use Regulated Environment Act of 2025; PREPARE Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 2935, the PREPARE Act of 2025, aims to establish a Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis. The commission's purpose is to study and propose a pathway for the federal regulation of cannabis, drawing parallels with the regulation of alcohol. The bill addresses various issues related to cannabis criminalization, research, and economic opportunities.
Expected Effects
The bill's passage would lead to the creation of a federal commission tasked with developing recommendations for cannabis regulation. This could potentially lead to the end of federal prohibition and the establishment of a regulated cannabis market. This would likely involve changes in federal law enforcement, tax revenue, and business opportunities.
Potential Benefits
- Economic Opportunities: Creation of new businesses and jobs in the cannabis industry.
- Tax Revenue: Increased federal and state tax revenue from cannabis sales.
- Criminal Justice Reform: Reduction in cannabis-related arrests and convictions, particularly benefiting minority communities.
- Medical Research: Increased opportunities for research into the medical benefits of cannabis.
- Access to Medicine: Improved access to medical cannabis for patients.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Increased Use: Concerns about increased cannabis use, especially among young people.
- Public Health Concerns: Potential negative impacts on public health, such as increased traffic accidents related to impaired driving.
- Regulatory Challenges: Difficulties in establishing and enforcing consistent federal regulations.
- Impact on Existing Businesses: Disruption to existing state-legal cannabis businesses due to federal regulation.
- Enforcement Costs: Costs associated with regulating and enforcing federal cannabis laws.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's establishment of a commission to study cannabis regulation aligns with Congress's legislative powers under Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers, including regulating commerce. The bill also touches upon the Tenth Amendment, as it seeks to balance federal regulation with the rights of states to regulate cannabis within their borders. The emphasis on addressing the disproportionate impact of cannabis criminalization on minority communities also relates to the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).