Federal Cannabis Reform Deserves Better Than Political Theater (Op-Ed)

*“Opposing everything that is not your version of perfect is not just
hopeless—it is counterproductive. Let’s not let perfect be the enemy of
progress.”*

*By Shanita Penny, Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation
(CPEAR) & Forbes Tate Partners*

Earlier this month, CPEAR released national polling that confirmed what
we’ve long known: Americans overwhelmingly support ending federal cannabis
prohibition. That support spans regions, parties, and age groups.

In fact, 70 percent of registered voters back federal reform—and 61 percent
support the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States
(STATES) 2.0 Act, a bipartisan proposal that respects state decision-making
while addressing urgent public safety and regulatory concerns.

Americans, both for and against cannabis, realize that the status quo does
not work, and this undisputed fact is the entire reason for the existence
of CPEAR: We engage in the hope that we can advance comprehensive federal
reform.

Some have questioned our poll and the policy it highlights. That’s
fair—debate is healthy. But it’s important to ground that conversation in
facts, not conjecture.

Our polling was conducted among a representative sample of more than 2,000
registered voters across the country. It captured a broad swath of
political ideologies, races and geographies. It found that voters want the
federal government to get out of the way and let states decide how to
regulate cannabis—something 40 states and D.C. have already done in some
form.

Our findings are consistent with broader national trends showing strong
support for a states’ rights approach. Not every state is going to walk the
same path, and federal reform should respect that. Voters also support key
components of STATES 2.0: keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth,
enhancing law enforcement tools for impaired driving, cracking down on
cartel activity and enabling badly needed research.

STATES 2.0 isn’t about corporate interests or consolidation—it’s about
reality. It’s about aligning federal law with what’s already happening on
the ground in the vast majority of states, while providing a framework
to support existing cannabis businesses and better protect public health
and safety. It establishes the very much needed foundation to move federal
cannabis policy forward.

We understand that no piece of legislation will satisfy every stakeholder.
But we should all agree on this: The status quo—an outdated federal
prohibition that stifles small businesses, impedes research and leaves
millions in legal limbo—is not sustainable.

At CPEAR, we’re proud to support STATES 2.0 because it offers a pragmatic,
incremental step toward more fair, transparent and effective cannabis
policy. We welcome continued dialogue on how to strengthen this approach,
especially for communities disproportionately impacted by past enforcement.
But we also believe in listening to the voters—and they’re telling us it’s
time for Congress to act.

Opposing everything that is not your version of perfect is not just
hopeless—it is counterproductive. Let’s not let perfect be the enemy of
progress. Let’s move forward.

*Shanita Penny is the executive director of the Coalition for Cannabis
Policy, Education and Regulation (CPEAR) and a senior vice president at the
lobbying firm Forbes Tate Partners.*

The post Federal Cannabis Reform Deserves Better Than Political Theater
(Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.