This is No Holiday Road!
You’ve packed up the car, got your favorite snacks, and hit the road toward Federal Legalization—the ultimate cannabis vacation destination. The GPS (or Congress, in this case) swore we’d be there by now. But somehow, we’re still stuck on this long, winding road of delays, political detours, and more stops than Clark Griswold made on his way to Wally World.
So, where are we now? Is this the year we finally reach the promised land of federal legalization? Or are we about to get sidetracked by another roadside attraction—like another committee hearing that leads nowhere? Buckle up, because this trip has been one wild ride.
Legislation Pit Stop: The SAFE Banking Act Still Has a Flat Tire
Much like the family car breaking down in the desert, the SAFE Banking Act keeps stalling right before the finish line. This bill, which would allow legal cannabis businesses to finally work with banks instead of stashing their cash in sketchy safes, has been through more failed attempts than Cousin Eddie has had job interviews.
It’s been approved multiple times in the House, only to break down in the Senate—usually because of “concerns” from lawmakers who still believe Reefer Madness was a documentary. But wait! 2025 might actually be the year this baby gets some gas and makes it to the next exit.
With more states legalizing recreational cannabis, pressure is mounting. Banks want in, businesses need financial services, and politicians are realizing that maybe, just maybe, allowing dispensaries to operate like normal businesses isn’t the end of civilization as we know it.
Interstate Cannabis Commerce: Can We Cross State Lines Yet?
Imagine you’re driving down Route 66, legally buying weed in California, and heading east. You hit the Arizona border and….BAM! – suddenly, you’re a criminal for possession.
Right now, cannabis cannot be legally transported between states, even if both states have legal markets. That’s like saying you can only drink Coca-Cola in Georgia because that’s where it’s made. Make it make sense! But who follows that shit rule anyway, right?
But good news: lawmakers (seem to be) and industry leaders are; pushing for a system where legal states can trade with each other. Oregon, which has more weed than it knows what to do with, wants to supply other states instead of letting top-shelf flower rot in warehouses. But Congress still hasn’t given the green light.
If federal legalization moves forward this year, interstate commerce could be the biggest game changer yet—allowing dispensaries to source from across the country, which could mean cheaper prices and better products for everyone.
Rescheduling vs. Legalization – The Scenic Route or the Expressway?
The Biden administration had hinted at rescheduling cannabis, meaning it would be downgraded from Schedule I (heroin-level bad) to something more reasonable. This is the bureaucratic version of a rest stop; not quite the final destination, but at least we can stretch our legs.
Rescheduling could open the door for more research, loosen banking restrictions, and make it easier for cannabis companies to operate. But it wouldn’t be the same as full legalization, which would eliminate federal penalties altogether. It’s like stopping at a motel when you really wanted a beachfront resort—better than sleeping in the car, but still not what we were promised.
However, with the new administration under President Trump, the outlook has shifted. During his campaign, Trump expressed support for states’ rights in deciding cannabis legalization and indicated that states with legalized cannabis, whether recreational or medical; would not face federal intervention. hbkcpa.com
In 2024, Trump stated he was starting to “agree a lot more” that individuals should not be criminalized for cannabis when it’s being legalized across the country. lastprisonerproject.org
Despite these statements, the administration has not taken a clear stance on federal cannabis reform, and several members of his administration are known opponents. reuters.com
Will We Ever Get to Wally World—Uh, Federal Legalization?
Right now, we’re closer than ever, but there are still a few sketchy roadside attractions (read: political roadblocks) standing in the way. Some lawmakers are still worried about things like driving under the influence, teen use, and who’s gonna get all the tax money—as if we haven’t already figured those things out in places like Colorado, California, and New York.
But momentum is on our side. Polls show over 70% of Americans support legalization, and with the 2025 elections shaking up Congress, we might actually see movement this year.
Until then, we’ll keep cruising, hitting every tollbooth, speed bump, and unnecessary detour along the way. But don’t worry, folks—whether we get there in 2025 or have to take the long way around, one thing’s for sure:
This road trip is far from over. 🚗💨
Got your road trip snacks ready? Let’s hope Congress finally puts this car in drive and gets us to our destination. In the meantime, check out our guide on Why Hasn’t Cannabis Been Legalized Yet?—because trust us, this journey has had plenty of wrong turns.