STATES 2.0 Act

The STATES 2.0 Act would allow states to regulate cannabis markets within their borders without federal interference, while establishing a low federal excise tax that doesn't compound with state taxes. It would amend the Controlled Substances Act to exempt state-legal marijuana activities from federal prosecution, remove marijuana from the federal controlled substances schedule for state-compliant activities, and allow the FDA to regulate marijuana products as food, drugs, or cosmetics. The bill would require a study on marijuana legalization's effects on traffic safety and address regulatory barriers contributing to the illicit market, which currently accounts for 75% of the marijuana market. This legislation directly affects states that have legalized cannabis, marijuana businesses, and consumers by creating a regulatory framework that supports state autonomy and reduces illegal market activity.