can-nabis
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United States

50 states, one stuck Congress

Over half the country lives in an adult-use state. The other half is somewhere between medical access, decriminalization, and active legalization pushes. Meanwhile cannabis remains federally illegal — but the gap is widening every year.

Recreational24
Medical only11
Decriminalized0
CBD / low-THC only4
Active legalization push7
Illegal5
Federal

The federal timeline — pushes & failures

Every meaningful federal cannabis moment, in order. Green = milestone, gold = active push, red = setback. The pattern is clear: states keep moving, Washington keeps almost-moving.

  1. failure1937

    Marihuana Tax Act

    Effectively criminalized cannabis nationwide via prohibitive taxation.

  2. failure1970

    Controlled Substances Act

    Cannabis placed on Schedule I — 'no accepted medical use' — despite known evidence to the contrary.

  3. milestone1996

    California legalizes medical (state)

    First state to break with federal classification, kicking off the modern reform era.

  4. milestone2013

    The Cole Memo

    DOJ guidance to deprioritize federal enforcement in legal states — later rescinded in 2018.

  5. milestone2018

    Farm Bill legalizes hemp

    Removes hemp + CBD from the CSA. Opens a national CBD market.

  6. push2020

    MORE Act passes the House

    First time a chamber of Congress voted to deschedule cannabis. Dies in the Senate.

  7. push2021

    SAFE Banking Act re-introduced

    Banking protections for state-legal cannabis businesses; passes the House repeatedly.

  8. milestone2022

    Biden pardons federal possession

    Mass pardon for simple federal cannabis possession; directs HHS to review scheduling.

  9. push2023

    HHS recommends Schedule III

    After review, HHS formally recommends moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.

  10. push2024

    DEA proposes Schedule III

    DEA opens rulemaking to reschedule cannabis. Comment period draws record-breaking response.

  11. failure2025

    SAFE Banking stalls in Senate (again)

    Banking reform clears the House for a 7th time; held up in Senate negotiations.

  12. push2026

    States vs. federal collision deepens

    More than half the country lives in adult-use states. Federal patchwork increasingly untenable.