Hickenlooper Introduces Bill to Prepare for Marijuana Legalization

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper introduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act. The bill directs the Attorney General to develop a regulatory framework for when the federal government legalizes marijuana.

While it remains illegal at the federal level, many states have followed Colorado in legalizing and regulating the sale and use of marijuana. The PREPARE Act would establish a fair, honest, and publicly transparent process for the development of regulations at the federal level that incorporates many of the lessons learned by these states. Hickenlooper's bill is a Senate companion to Republican Congressman Dave Joyce's bipartisan bill in the House.

"A decade after Colorado pioneered marijuana legalization, Americans overwhelmingly support the same at the federal level," said Hickenlooper. "This bipartisan, bicameral framework, based on Colorado's Amendment 64 Task Force, will replicate our success nationally."

"I'm thrilled that the PREPARE Act has been introduced in the Senate, making it not only further bipartisan, but bicameral, and bringing it one step closer to becoming law," said Congressman Dave Joyce. "This legislation gives lawmakers on both sides of the aisle the answers they need to effectively engage on cannabis reform, safely and effectively regulate it, and remedy the harms caused by the failed war on cannabis. With those answers, Congress can develop a much-needed federal regulatory framework that not only respects the unique needs, rights, and laws of each state, but also ensures a responsible end to prohibition and a safer future for our communities. I was proud to lead the introduction of this commonsense bill in the House and thank Senator Hickenlooper for advancing it in the Senate. I look forward to continuing to work with him and my fellow Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs in the House to pave the way for more comprehensive reform."

On December 10, 2012, a month after Colorado voted to legalize marijuana, then-Governor Hickenlooper convened the Amendment 64 Task Force to provide recommendations for the establishment of regulations. Those regulations led to the thriving, safe, marijuana industry in Colorado today. The PREPARE Act would replicate the Amendment 64 Task Force at the federal level.

Specifically, the bill does the following:

Directs the Attorney General to establish a "Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis" to advise on the development of a regulatory framework modeled after existing federal and state regulations for alcohol.
A framework would have to account for the unique needs, rights, and laws of each state, and be presented to Congress within one year of enactment of the PREPARE Act. 
The regulatory framework would have to include ways to remedy the disproportionate impact cannabis prohibition has had on minority, low-income, and veteran communities; encourage research and training access by medical professionals; encourage economic opportunity for individuals and small businesses; and develop protections for the hemp industry. 
The commission would not have rulemaking authority; its only role would be to develop proposals and make policy recommendations

The 24-member commission would include representatives from relevant government agencies and offices, individuals nominated by Senate and House leadership, and individuals nominated by other government agencies.

The PREPARE ACT is supported by: Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), US Cannabis Council (USCC), City of Denver, National Hispanic Cannabis Council, Black Cannabis Equity Initiative, VS Strategies, Vicente Sederberg LLP, Metric, National Cannabis Industry Association, and Better Organizing to Win Legalization.

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