Sen. John Fetterman joined 16 Senate Democrats on July 16 to reintroduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, a bill first filed by Sen. Cory Booker in 2022. The proposal would decriminalize and deschedule cannabis at the federal level, expunge certain federal convictions and establish a federal regulatory and taxation system. It also directs FDA and DOT standards for labeling and impairment and funds prevention, treatment and research programs. Supporters say the measure addresses both market rules and criminal-justice consequences.
Senate Democrats Reintroduce Bill to Legalize Cannabis Nationwide — Fetterman Among Sponsors
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) sits on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on October 1, 2025 in Washington, DC.
More than a dozen Senate Democrats reintroduced comprehensive federal legislation seeking to legalize recreational cannabis across the United States, reviving a bill first filed in 2022.
Originally introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D–N.J.) in 2022, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act was refiled on July 16 with 16 Democratic cosponsors, including Sen. John Fetterman (D–Pa.). If enacted, the proposal would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level, remove it from the schedules of the Controlled Substances Act and expunge certain federal cannabis convictions. It would also create a federal regulatory and taxation framework for legal commercial sales.
Key Provisions Highlighted By Fetterman's Office
- Establish a Center for Cannabis Products to regulate production, labeling and commercial sales.
- Direct the Food and Drug Administration to set standards for product labeling and safety information.
- Fund prevention programs to reduce youth use and expand treatment for substance use disorders.
- Remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively descheduling it at the federal level.
- Require the Department of Transportation to develop standards for cannabis impairment and driving.
- Regulate and tax the market with rules to promote competition, protect independent producers and deter anti-competitive behavior.
- Encourage and expand federally supported cannabis research.
In a July 21 statement, Sen. Fetterman said he supported actions by both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to reclassify cannabis or pardon individuals with prior convictions. He described his stance as pragmatic and libertarian-leaning: people should not be judged or punished for using cannabis and access should be legal, safe and regulated.
I've always been very pro-weed. In a very libertarian slant: I'm not going to judge anyone for using it to knock the edge off of life. I think your path to wellness should be without judgement or punishment — legal, safe and regulated. I supported President Biden and President Trump when they took steps on the issue.
Fetterman also urged Congress to act quickly, saying it was time for lawmakers to stop wasting time and move to legalize cannabis at the federal level.
Background And Context
Fetterman has advocated for reform for years. As Pennsylvania lieutenant governor he led a statewide listening tour on recreational legalization in 2019, later urged the Biden administration to decriminalize marijuana and in 2024 joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren in calling for federal descheduling. Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Pennsylvania, though medical cannabis has been legal statewide since 2016; effective 2024, qualified independent medical organizations in Pennsylvania may apply for grower/processor or dispensary permits.
A demonstration calling for marijuana legalization took place on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo, Brazil, on June 14, 2025, where participants were photographed smoking joints in public protest of current rules.
As of July 22 the 2026 text of the bill had not yet been posted to Congress' official website. Supporters say the renewed effort reflects growing momentum among Democratic senators to create consistent national rules for possession, regulation, taxation and criminal-justice remedies for past convictions.
Reporting
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact: [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
A man smokes a joint during a demonstration demanding the legalization ofmarijuana, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 14, 2025.(NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)
People take part in a demonstration demanding the legalization of marijuana, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 14, 2025.(NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)
A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A Marijuana plant is displayed as a person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A man poses for a photo during a demonstration to celebrate 4/20, the informal cannabis holiday in Hyde Park, London, on April 20, 2022.(TOM NICHOLSON, REUTERS)
A person smokes as marijuana enthusiasts take part in the informal annual cannabis holiday, 4/20, corresponding to the numerical figure widely recognized within the cannabis subculture as a symbol for all things related to marijuana, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 20, 2023.(QUETZALLI NICTE-HA, REUTERS)
People dressed in costumes depicting cannabis leaves gather with marijuana activists to mark the annual world cannabis day and to protest for legalization of marijuana, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany, April 20, 2022.(LISI NIESNER, REUTERS)
A cloud of smoke rises over people smoking while rapper Lil Jon performs during the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, Colo., on April 20, 2022, known by some as 'Weed Day'. Tens of thousands of cannabis enthusiasts gathered in Denver on April 20 to celebrate the ever-widening US legalization of recreational weed with plumes of pungent smoke, music... and a few grumblings about commercialization. April 20 has become the national holiday for the herb in the United States, as the date corresponds with the "420" slang name for marijuana.(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
An activist hands out free marijuana cigarettes to people after they show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination at Union Square on April 20, 2021 in New York City. The event, which attracted hundreds, was held in honor of “4/20” and the efforts to get more New Yorkers vaccinated. Called “Joints For Jabs," the afternoon event was organized by marijuana advocates and longtime AIDS activist group ACT UP NY. New York City had recently made the smoking of marijuana legal.(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)
A person takes part in the informal annual cannabis holiday, 4/20, corresponding to the numerical figure widely recognized within the cannabis subculture as a symbol for all things related to marijuana, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 20, 2023.(QUETZALLI NICTE-HA, REUTERS)
A man holds an oversized joint during the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, Colo. on April 20, 2022.(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
A man holding an inflatable joint poses for a picture during a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday in Hyde Park, London, Britain, April 20, 2022.(TOM NICHOLSON, REUTERS)
Cookies shaped like marijuana leafs are pictured at the Cannabis Carnivalus 4/20 event in Seattle, Wash. April 20, 2014. Thousands of marijuana enthusiasts gathered in Colorado and Washington state over the weekend for an annual celebration of cannabis culture with rallies, concerts and trade shows in the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana.(JASON REDMOND, REUTERS)
Fancy Fairchild, right, waves a flag during a rally to legalize marijuana at the Governor’s Mansion on Wednesday April 20, 2022. A few dozen activists gathered at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20 to bring attention to cause.(Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK)
A man wearing a Grinch costume pretending to smoke a joint takes part in the International Marijuana Day celebration at Paseo de la Reforma avenue in Mexico City on April 20, 2023.(PEDRO PARDO, AFP via Getty Images)
People roll a blunt during the informal annual cannabis holiday in Denver on April 20, 2023.(KEVIN MOHATT, REUTERS)
A man smokes marijuana in a papaya during a 4/20 rally to commemorate the World Cannabis Day in Bogota on April 20, 2022.(RAUL ARBOLEDA, AFP via Getty Images)
Regina Dotson shows off her marijuana-themed earrings, necklace and sunglasses at the Magnolia cannabis lounge in Oakland, Calif. on April 20, 2018 during the first '4/20' since the sale of recreational marijuana became legal in the state.(ELIJAH NOUVELAGE, REUTERS)
Smoke rises during the annual 4/20 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada on April 20, 2018.(CHRIS WATTIE, REUTERS)
A woman smokes during a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday in Hyde Park, London, April 20, 2022.(TOM NICHOLSON, REUTERS)
A woman participates in a gathering along with marijuana activists to mark the annual world cannabis day and to protest for legalization of marijuana, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany, April 20, 2022.(LISI NIESNER, REUTERS)
A Marijuana enthusiast takes part in the informal annual cannabis holiday, 4/20, in Mexico City, Mexico on April 20, 2023.(QUETZALLI NICTE-HA, REUTERS)
People celebrate 420 at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A person prepares a marijuana cigarette during 420 celebrations at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
People celebrate 420 at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis.(LEONARDO MUNOZ, AFP via Getty Images)
A marijuana plant is seen July 20, 2021, at Rob & Sons Cannabis Company in Shawnee, Okla.
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