List of 2021 United States cannabis reform proposals

The year 2021 started with varying degrees of legalization for unrestricted-THC content cannabis in 34 states, or over half of U.S. states, and continued federal prohibition except for low-THC hemp. Several states considered candidates for 2021 legislation to legalize cannabis for adult use included Connecticut, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia, some of which like New York had already decriminalized. At the federal level, the Democratic Party's majority in both houses of the 117th United States Congress was cited by Politico as a likely precondition for federal legalization in 2021, with the SAFE Banking Act likely to pass.

Legislation and initiatives introduced in 2020 for 2021 sessions

Maryland legalization HB0032 was introduced by Jazz Lewis in December 2020 for the 2021 legislative session. A Missouri legalization bill was pre-filed in December 2020 by Republican state legislator Shamed Dogan. A "justice roadmap" published by New York state Republican lawmakers in late December 2020 included legalization. Two Texas legalization bills were introduced in November 2020: SB 140 by Senator Roland Gutierrez, and HB 447 by Representative Joe Moody.

Legislation passed in 2020 pending governor's action in 2021 NJ A21 (20R), a legalization and regulation bill, and NJ A1897 (20R), decriminalization, were sent to the governor on December 17. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy said he would conditionally veto the bills if language on underage possession was not reconciled by January 30.

Legislation and initiatives introduced in 2021 State State Title Type Date introduced Short description DetailAlabama SB46LawMedicalOn January 29, Alabama SB46, the Alabama Compassion Act for legalization of (non-smokeable) medical cannabis, was reintroduced by state senator Tim Melson (R), who is also a physician. The bill was passed by the Alabama Senate on February 24, and by the House on May 6. It was signed into law by the governor on May 17.Connecticut HB 6377 BillLegalizationOn February 4, Connecticut House Bill 6377 – co-written by committee chairs representative Robyn Porter and senator Julie Kushner – was introduced in the Labor and Public Employees Committee, to allow home cultivation and establish a state Cannabis Control Commission.CT HB06377, Legiscan, accessed February 6, 2021 The bill was advanced by the House Labor and Public Employees Committee on March 25.SB888BillLegalizationSenate Bill 888, introduced at the governor's request and referred to the Joint Judiciary Committee on February 11, would legalize cannabis.SB888 , Connecticut General Assembly, accessed February 25, 2021S.B. No. 888 Session Year 2021: AN ACT RESPONSIBLY AND EQUITABLY REGULATING ADULT-USE CANNABIS , Connecticut Legislature bill tracker, accessed February 17, 2021 It was tabled for the Senate calendar on June 1.S.B. No. 888 Session Year 2021: AN ACT RESPONSIBLY AND EQUITABLY REGULATING ADULT-USE CANNABIS , Connecticut Legislature bill tracker, accessed June 4, 2021SB 1118BillLegalizationApproved by the Senate on June 8. The regular session ended on June 9 without a house vote.SB 1201LawLegalizationIntroduced during the special session, and passed by state senate on the first day, June 15. It was amended and passed by the house the next day, and the amended bill was approved by the senate on June 17. The state held a ceremony on June 22 in which the bill received the governor's ratification and became law.DelawareHB150BillLegalizationAnnounced by Rep. Edward Osienski on February 13 and introduced as HB150, Delaware Marijuana Control Act, on March 18. Osienski was sponsor of Delaware HB110 in prior session.FloridaHB 343 and SB 710BillsLegalizationOn January 21, Florida HB 343 and SB 710, corresponding legalization bills, were announced by their sponsors Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) and Senator Jeff Brandes (R).House Bill 1215BillDecriminalization NORML legislative round-up , February 26, 2021 Georgia SB195 Law MedicalUp to 30 dispensaries may operate beginning July 1, 2021.HawaiiSB767BillLegalizationOn January 11, Hawaii SB767 was introduced to legalize cannabis for adult personal use, possession, and sale. It was advanced by the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs on February 16, along with a bill raising existing limits for possession under state decriminalization.Measure status: SB767 RELATING TO CANNABIS , Hawaii State Legislature, accessed February 17, 2021 On March 3, it was advanced by the Judiciary Committee for a Senate floor vote.Measure status: SB767 RELATING TO CANNABIS , Hawaii State Legislature, accessed March 4, 2021 On March 9, the senate passed the bill.Idaho SB1017LawAdjusts Legal CBDOn January 20, Idaho SB1017 was introduced to raise the allowable THC level in legal cannabidiol (CBD) products from 0% to 0.1% THC. The bill was signed into law on February 26, 2021. Effective July 1, 2021.InitiativeMedicalOn February 11, the Idaho Secretary of State approved the Idaho Medical Marijuana Act initiative for signature collection.Personal Adult Marijuana Decriminalization ActInitiativeDecriminalization Decriminalizes up to three ounces of cannabis legally purchased (outside of Idaho).IndianaHB1028BillsDecriminalization HB1070BillDecriminalization Pre-filed for 2022 sessionHB1049BillRegulationPre-filed for 2022 session by representatives Sue Errington and Chris Campbell. Establishes Cannabis Compliance Commission and Cannabis Compliance Advisory Committee.IowaSF406 BillLegalizationIntroduced on February 18 by Senator Joe Bolkcom and others, the legislation filed under Senate File 406 would legalize cannabis for 21-and-over adults, and provide for taxation and regulation by Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.Senate File 406 , Iowa Legislature billbook, accessed February 20, 2021KansasBillMedicalOn January 28, Kansas Senate Bill 92 was introduced by the Senate Commerce Committee. It would establish the Kansas medical cannabis agency within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and permit prescription and use of medical cannabis.KS SB92 2021-2022 , Legiscan, accessed February 16, 2021 On May 6 the bill cleared the house in a 79–42 vote and moved to the senate.KentuckyHB 136BillMedicalOn January 8, Kentucky state representative Jason Nemes (R) introduced House Bill 136, legislation that would legalize medical cannabis in the state.HB467BillLegalizationBillLegalizationPre-filed by Rep. Nima KulkarniLouisiana HB 699 Bill (as HB524) Legalization"The first legalization instrument to reach the full [Louisiana] House for debate" was tabled following 47–48 vote May 18 on a related cannabis tax bill. HB 652 Law DecriminalizationA bill to remove jail time and limit fines for possession passed the house on May 11. On June 7, it was approved by a Senate floor vote, and the state governor signed it into law on June 15.HB391LawMedical (expansion)Allows prescription of smokable form. Passed by Senate on May 27, with technical amendments, following House passage. The House acceded to the amendments on June 1, making the bill eligible to be signed into law by the state governor.MarylandHB32 and SB708 BillsLegalizationMaryland legalization bills HB32 and SB708 were introduced by the first week of February. They differ in the amount of cannabis that can be legally possessed – two ounces in the house bill, four ounces in the senate bill, sponsored by Senate President Bill Ferguson. HB 1 (2022)Referendum (bill prefiled)LegalizationOn July 16, the speaker of the state House of Delegates, Adrienne A. Jones, created a committee to draft a referendum on legalization to place before voters in 2022. Around December 25, the chairman of the state House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup, Luke Clippinger, pre-filed House Bill 1 for the 2022 session, to initiate the citizen referendum in 2022 that would create a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis.Minnesota HF 600BillLegalizationOn February 1, Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL) and Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (DFL) introduced legalization bill HF 600.HF 600 Status in the House for the 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2021) , Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, accessed February 1, 2021 The bill was passed the House of Representatives on May 13. HF2128 (omnibus) Law (as HF907)Medical (expansion)Approved by House and Senate. Signed into law by governor May 25.Missouri Missouri Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement InitiativeInitiativeLegalizationQualified for signature gathering on May 5, 2021.Fair Access Missouri initiativesInitiativeCirca July 16LegalizationFiled with Secretary of State circa July 16Montana HB701LawLegalizationAmends and implements 2020 Montana Initiative 190; signed into law May 19. Taxed and regulated adult use cannabis sales may begin on January 1, 2022. NebraskaLR2CAConstitutional amendmentLegalizationOn January 6, Nebraska state senator Justin Wayne (D) proposed LR2CA, a constitutional amendment to legalize adult use of cannabis.LB 474BillMedicalThe legislature is scheduled debate the bill on May 12. Nevada AB341 Law Legalizes public cannabis consumption lounges for adults not earlier than October 1, 2021. New Jersey A5342S3454 Law LegalizationOn January 29, New Jersey A5342 was introduced in committee to address underage penalties in the legalization and decriminalization bills passed in 2020, which had led to threat of veto (see #Legislation passed in 2020 pending governor's action in 2021).