Amazon endorses legislation to end federal prohibition on marijuana

Amazon said it is endorsing legislation introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) late last year that would end federal prohibition of marijuana. 

“We’re pleased to endorse @RepNancyMace‘s States Reform Act. Like so many in this country, we believe it’s time to reform the nation’s cannabis policy and Amazon is committed to helping lead the effort,” Amazon’s public policy team tweeted on Tuesday. 

The news of Amazon’s announcement was first reported by Forbes. 

The legislation that Mace introduced in November — along with Reps. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) — would decriminalize marijuana federally and treat the substance similarly to alcohol. 

The legislation would also give states agency over how to handle marijuana, but would establish a federal age requirement that users be at least 21 years old to use the substance.

Additionally, Mace’s legislation would establish a three percent excise tax on marijuana. 

Forbes noted that it was the first Republican-introduced legislation aiming to end the federal government’s prohibition of the substance.

In an interview with Forbes, Amazon’s vice president of public policy, Brian Huseman, said that the legislation provided “comprehensive reform” that signaled that both Democrats and Republicans believe the government’s ban on marijuana needed to end.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, medical use of marijuana was allowed in three dozen states and four U.S. territories as of May 18, 2021. Eighteen states, Washington, D.C. and two territories had enacted legislation regulating the nonmedical use of marijuana as of Nov. 29, 2021. 

“There are three things that really bring people together — animals, Britney Spears and cannabis,” Mace told Forbes in an interview. “Those are the three things I’ve found that have struck a chord with the American people and that can bring people together at the dinner table — just like apple pie.”