Bill Overview
Title: Small and Homestead Independent Producers Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides authority for small cultivators of marijuana and small manufacturers of marijuana products to ship and sell the marijuana or marijuana products using the U.S. Postal Service or a private or commercial interstate carrier. Specifically, marijuana or a marijuana product may be shipped or sold to individuals within a state or another state in which the possession of it is lawful by such individuals. The bill takes effect on the date on which marijuana is removed from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and federal criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana, are eliminated.
Sponsors: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Target Audience
Population: Small cultivators and manufacturers of marijuana products
Estimated Size: 450000
- The bill affects small cultivators and small manufacturers of marijuana products who want to ship their products across state lines.
- Current legal framework at the federal level strongly restricts interstate shipping of marijuana, so the removal of these barriers would significantly impact these businesses.
- Most people affected are in the United States, where federal law applies and shipping services are provided by USPS or other commercial carriers.
- Legal marijuana markets exist in several U.S. states, which have their own large numbers of cultivators and manufacturers.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets small-scale cultivators and manufacturers of marijuana products who are looking to expand their sales across state lines but are currently restricted by federal law.
- The policy might have significant benefits for those directly involved in the marijuana industry, especially in states where marijuana is already legal, potentially increasing their market size and revenue.
- At the same time, this policy may have low or no impact on individuals not involved in the marijuana industry or in states where marijuana is fully criminalized.
- Resource allocation should focus on education for business owners about the new opportunities and guidelines, compliance with interstate and state-specific laws, and possibly handling logistics concerning postal services.
Simulated Interviews
marijuana cultivator (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would open up new markets for my business and significantly reduce the barriers we've been facing with regards to distribution.
- Shipping through USPS could save us costs compared to private distributors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
marijuana product manufacturer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This would be a game-changer for my business, allowing us direct access to customers in other states.
- I believe this would increase competition, which is a good thing for the market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
logistics consultant (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could create a boom in demand for logistics and distribution planning, potentially increasing my client base.
- This policy could streamline processes that are currently convoluted due to legal ambiguities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
USPS regional manager (New York, New York)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our services might face new regulatory challenges, but the increased volume could be good for USPS revenue.
- I'm concerned about ensuring compliance with varying state laws.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
state legislator (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could harmonize state and federal policies in a beneficial way for our economy.
- We'd need to ensure consumer protection and proper taxation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
retired (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems distant and won't affect me unless Georgia laws change.
- I'm concerned about potential increases in drug use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
student (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could create great business opportunities and also make it easier to pursue a career in cannabis.
- Ultimately, it depends on state policies aligning well with federal deregulation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
software engineer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an individual, it could make access slightly easier, but overall the impact seems minimal for me.
- I anticipate it may indirectly benefit tech through expanded use of logistical software.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
state law enforcement officer (Fort Worth, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even if federal law changes, my work will still be guided by state laws unless Texas aligns fully with these changes.
- I expect my job to become more complex rather than simpler.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
marijuana dispensary worker (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This would likely increase our business by making our local products more accessible out-of-state.
- I am optimistic about the economic benefits for small businesses like ours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Year 3: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Year 5: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Year 10: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $250000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- Federal legal changes are critical for enforcement and the start of these activities.
- Current state laws may vary widely and affect the impact of legalization across the board.
- Involvement of multiple federal agencies is required to regulate new policies.
- Potential resistance or legal challenges in non-legal states.