Washington, D.C., is relatively awash in cannabis reform legislation. There’s no reason to expect much action out of our federal lawmakers anytime soon, but the very appearance of attempts to legalize cannabis is at least a hopeful sign. Political tailwinds are little more than a gentle breeze at the moment.

But U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., introduced an intriguing bill this week: The Small and Homestead Independent Producers Act (the SHIP Act, to gratify Congress’s need for cute acronyms) would allow small cannabis grower to sell direct-to-consumer across state lines. This bill would only go into effect a.) if Congress passes it, and then b.) if Congress passes some sort of law that removes cannabis from Schedule I.

The bill seems like an explicit nod to the cratering cannabis economy in Huffman’s home state.

Karla Avila, owner of Flowerdaze Farm and executive director of the Trinity County Agriculture Alliance, told Huffman’s team: “As a legacy cannabis producer and family farmer located in the heart of the Emerald Triangle, I see the direct-to-consumer retail pathway as the only future of my small farm, and indeed of all rural communities like my own whose cultural heritage is rooted in craft cannabis cultivation and artisanal medicine making.”

This is a specific type of cannabis reform legislation, and its prospects for passage hinge on broader legalization efforts—none of which are imminent. That’s a central point of tension in the industry right now: the need for urgency on the part of small businesses (and larger businesses, too!) and the glacial pace of play in D.C. Something’s got to give.

"Too often, the federal government falls behind, and the gears of Congress work too slowly to keep up with the pace of a changing economy," Huffman said in a public statement. "Under my bill, folks in our state will be able to ship their products straight to consumers when the antiquated federal prohibition on cannabis is finally repealed."

I don’t recommend anyone hold their breath on this one, but it’s certainly worth taking note of how Congress grapples with the plight of the small cannabis farmer in 2022 and beyond.

-Eric Sandy, Digital Editor

Our cannabis legalization map allows professionals in the cannabis industry to see the legislative status of cannabis across the U.S., including proposed legislative changes, cannabis laws by state, and the latest, most relevant news in every state in the country.

See where each state stands with its most recent legislative development—and the year in which that measure was passed. 

Interact Here