Two Democratic Oregon lawmakers on Thursday introduced congressional legislation to allow states, including Oregon, to export cannabis to other states with legal marijuana programs.
The bill is an effort to remove the federal government’s ban on interstate shipment of marijuana, a prohibition that currently stands in the way of an Oregon cannabis export bill signed into law just last week.
The Oregon law is seen as a possible solution for a state desperate for ways to ease its massive cannabis glut.
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced the congressional legislation, called the State Cannabis Commerce Act.
It’s unclear, however, whether the bill will gain traction even in the Democratic-controlled House.
Wyden argued in a statement that Congress can and should protect the will of state-legal programs such as Oregon from federal interference, even as marijuana advocates continue to fight for broader federal protections or legalization.
NORML supports the proposed initiative.
“Just as Americans around the country enjoy Kentucky bourbon, so should they be allowed to enjoy Oregon cannabis,” Justin Strekal, NORML’s political director, said in a statement.
