Curbelo, Gabbard Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Evaluate State Marijuana Policies

Press Release

Representatives Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), along with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), today hosted a press conference announcing the introduction of bipartisan legislation to evaluate states' marijuana policies.

The Marijuana Data Collection Act would require the National Academy of Sciences to create a federally recognized report on the status of state-level marijuana legalization policies, including both medical and non-medical use, and the effects of marijuana legalization on public health, safety, the economy, and the criminal justice system. The information compiled in the report would help to fill the gap left by the federal government's unwillingness to accept local, state, and private data related to marijuana policy.

"Federal lawmakers have long ignored the issues of our outdated federal marijuana policy," Curbelo said. "In recent years, however, voters across the country -- including in my home state of Florida and overwhelmingly in my district -- have called for modernized marijuana policies in their states. This bill takes a commonsense step toward allowing unbiased research into the impacts that marijuana has had in states that have chosen to legally regulate it. I am proud to support the bipartisan Marijuana Data Collection Act to ensure the federal government is no longer an obstacle to legal, regulated marijuana and starts being part of the discussion for a new federal policy."

"For decades, bad data and misinformation have fueled the failed War on Drugs that has ruined people's lives, torn families apart, and wasted billions of taxpayer dollars incarcerating Americans for nonviolent marijuana charges," said Gabbard. "In 2016 alone, nearly 600,000 people were arrested for marijuana possession. Our laws must be informed by facts -- not emotion, manufactured stigma and myths. Our bipartisan legislation, the Marijuana Data Collection Act, will lay the groundwork for real reform by producing an objective, evidence-based report on current marijuana laws that exist in 31 states across the country, and their impact on our communities."

Justin Strekal, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Political Director, said: "We appreciate Representative Gabbard for her tremendous leadership in the fight to reform our nation's failed policy of prohibition. From emphasizing that marijuana policy be evidence-based, to tasking the National Academies with this important work, to her role as a lead on HR 1227, the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act, Rep. Gabbard has been one of the most prominent voices in calling for a new sensible approach to cannabis."

"We look forward to a study conducted by an independent federal agency that isn't invested in continuing marijuana prohibition," said Aaron Smith, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. "Lawmakers and regulators at the state and federal level will benefit from a serious look at the effects of making cannabis legal for medical and adult use. There is already plenty of evidence showing that regulation is working in the states, but we need to look at the potential public health and economic impacts of further reforms, and the real costs of continuing to ban a substance that research shows may be helping to reduce the damage caused by the opioid problem."

BACKGROUND:

The Marijuana Data Collection Act would:

Require the Secretary of HHS to coordinate with the DOJ, DOL, and States (to the greatest extent possible) and direct the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to publish a biennial study on the health, safety, and economic effects of state legalized marijuana programs.
The Report would also outline best practices for state-led data collection, as well
as recommendations to overcome any barriers preventing data collection and gaps
in data.
Curbelo has been a consistent advocate to reform our nation's cannabis policies. He introduced the Small Business Tax Equity Act of 2017, H.R. 1810, last year with Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR--3) to amend Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code and allow marijuana businesses operating in compliance with state law to utilize common tax deductions and credits. Curbelo has also expressed strong opposition to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to crack down on legally operating marijuana businesses and other federal regulations that ignore state's rights and treat state-regulated businesses unjustly.

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