The Case of the Mysterious HB 1447: Not Just Lankford & Ricketts. New Bill Filed By 7 US House Republicans to “amend the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 to maintain the prohibition on any deduction or credit associated with a trade or businesses involved in “trafficking” cannabis” | Cannabis Law Report | How to order Skittles Moonrock online
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There’s that word “trafficking” again c/- Congressman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas and friends this time round.
First up here’s the Business Times report on the mysterious HR1447 and further down i’ve detailed each of the house members putting their name to the bill and their cannabis voting record (thankyou NORML) and their general attitude towards cannabis or marijuana as most of them like to call it
As the report below says nobody has seen the actual language of HR 1447
Let’s just say they don’t think cannabis taxation should reflect the rest of society and it’d clearly not big or beautiful.
Cannabis Business Times report
Forcing state-licensed cannabis businesses to continue paying punitive taxes on their ordinary business expenses, even should cannabis be federally rescheduled, is now a bicameral effort in the U.S. Congress.
Congressman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, who chairs the House Budget Committee, and six of his fellow representatives in the U.S. House introduced legislation, H.R. 1447, on Feb. 21. The bill aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 to maintain the prohibition on any deduction or credit associated with a trade or businesses involved in “trafficking” cannabis.
Under Section 280E of the IRC, businesses involved in Schedule I or II drugs under the Controlled Substances Act are unable to deduct their ordinary business expenses—such as payroll, rent and utilities—from their taxable incomes.
The hope for many U.S. cannabis businesses, the largest of which have the burden of paying roughly $100 million a year in taxes to a federal government that doesn’t recognize them as legitimate, is that the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) current proposal to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III substance would provide them with 280E tax relief to operate more sustainably.
However, Arrington and six of his colleagues in the upper chamber are now hoping to prevent that from happening. The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C.; Gregory Murphy, R-N.C.; Vern Buchanan, R-Fla.; Blake Moore, R-Utah; Gary Palmer, R-Ala.; and Pete Sessions, R-Texas.
Although the DOJ’s Schedule III proposal remains sidelined by an interlocutory appeal, these lawmakers are trying to restrict the proposal’s impact should an administrative law judge hearing resume with a favorable outcome for cannabis businesses.
Although the text of H.R. 1447 wasn’t available as of Feb. 24—and no related bills were listed—Republican Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., introduced legislation with a nearly identical title earlier this month.
“Marijuana doesn’t make our families stronger, our streets safer, or our workplaces more productive,” Lankford said in a Feb. 7 press release. “Businesses who sell federally illegal drugs—including marijuana businesses—shouldn’t get federal tax breaks. This bill clarifies federal tax law to make sure a federally illegal product does not have a federally legal tax deduction.”
At the time, Kevin Sabet, the CEO and president of the prohibitionist group Smart Approaches for Marijuana (SAM), took credit for the foundation of the legislation, hailing the bill on social media as a mechanism to ensure cannabis businesses continue to pay $2.3 billion annually in taxes that they otherwise wouldn’t be obligated to pay under the designation of a traditional American business.
The Senate’s version of the bill is titled the “No Deductions for Marijuana Business Act.”
On Feb. 24, SAM drew attention to a Washington Post article, suggesting that Arrington’s bill serves as companion legislation for the Senate’s version.
“Arrington introduced a bill late last week—when the House wasn’t even convened—to prohibit companies involved in the cultivation or sale of marijuana from claiming business-expensing tax deductions,” The Washington Post reported.
Editor’s note: Cannabis Business Times reached out to Arrington’s office for comment and a copy of the House version of the bill.
The bicameral effort to make Section 280E a more permanent hindrance to cannabis businesses comes at a time when just 27% of U.S. cannabis businesses are profitable, according to a 2024 Whitney Economics report.
Also read Marijuana Moment
Key sentence ..According to The Washington Post, Arrington takes a “values perspective” on the cannabis tax issue. And while marijuana might not be at the top of his priorities list for the budget, it’s possible the 280E bill he’s now sponsoring could ultimately get in the large-scale legislation.
Politico
House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington said Monday he is not expecting substantial alternations to the fiscal blueprint he muscled through his committee earlier this month as Republicans try to placate holdouts and move it across the floor this week.
GOP leaders are hoping to tee up a final vote Tuesday on the budget resolution as moderate Republicans push back against some of the spending cuts the framework prescribes and some hard-line conservatives demand even deeper slashing. Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday he was not inclined to alter the legislation to address those concerns, and Arrington told reporters much the same — that members will fall in line behind the budget plan as the only way to deliver the “big, beautiful bill” President Donald Trump is seeking.
SAM are gloating
Congressman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas
As of 25 February 2025 he’s decided that the issue isn’t important enough for him to publish a press release on the topic
NORML..
While referring to the MORE Act Arrington tweeted, “I’m surprised this bill doesn’t designate Cheech or Chong as our Drug Czar. I’m a Hale (County) NO!” (04/01/22)
“You know something is suspicious when the word “cannabis” is used 68 times – more than “job” or “jobs” combined – in an economic stimulus bill. I’m not sure what they were smoking, but whatever socialist euphoria they‘re feeling will fade fast when it arrives in the Senate.” (05/12/20)
Arrington opposes the AFA survey question on marjuana legalization
The American Family Association Action Voter Guide asked if candidates agree or disagree with the statement, ‘Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.’ American Family Association Action (AFA Action) produces the online “iVoterGuide” for selected state and federal races. The mission of AFA Action is to inform and mobilize individuals to strengthen the biblical foundations of America.
American Family Association survey 16AFA_Q1
Nov 8, 2016
http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Jodey_Arrington_Drugs.htm
Votes
2022: Medical Marijuana Research Act, HR 5657
No
2022: MORE Act, HR 3617
No
2021: SAFE Banking Act, HR 1996
No
2020: MORE Act, HR 3884
No
2019: The SAFE Banking Act, HR 1595
No
2019: Blumenauer/McClintock/Norton Amendment to Protect Legalization
No
Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT)
https://blakemoore.house.gov/about
His current press releases do not mention the topic either.
A cursory google search shows that he’s nver made any major public statements about cannabis and his voting record suggests a change of heart on the issue?
Votes
2021: The Medical Marijuana Research Act, HR 5657
Yes
2021: The MORE Act, HR 3617
No
2021: The SAFE Banking Act, HR 1996
Yes
Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Nothing in his current press releases about this which is surprising considering his antipathy toward cannabis. I presume Arrinton has instructed him to hold his tongue for the moment while they get this spending bill through.
A true believer in cannabis or marijuana said in a tone of near disgust (below) is a bad thing all round
NORML
Pete Sessions (R – TX)NO MEDICAL USE
As Chair of the House Rules Committee, Pete Sessions has blocked every single marijuana or even hemp bill that has made it to his desk. Despite a majority of Republican voters in district polling for marijuana legalization or requiring it for medicinal use Pete Sessions has consistantly voted against his own constituency.
Co-sponsored Legislation
H.R.2331 – No Welfare for Weed Act of 2015 (2015-2016)
Comments
“Marijuana is an addictive product, and the merchants of addiction make it that way,” Pete Sessions said in January. “They make it to where our people, our young people, become addicted to marijuana and keep going.”
In February, at an opioid summit at the University of Texas Southwestern, Rep. Sessions stretched scientific fact when he said, today’s product is “300 times more powerful” than when he went to high school.
3/21/18 https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/03/21/washingtons-most-powerful-anti-pot-official-is-named-sessions-its-not-who-you-think-217662
“If addiction is the problem and we have marketers of addiction that include marijuana – because all you have to do is go to any of the stores in Colorado and they can give you high to low to medium to chocolate – we ought to call for it what it is,” he said, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “If it were nicotine, it would have been outlawed; well, it would have been handled differently. But this is a political issue.”
Saying he thinks there are “better alternatives [than marijuana to treat medical conditions],” Sessions’s view is that “we don’t have to go to that.”
2/21/2018
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/man-reason-congress-cant-vote-marijuana-anymore/
Co – sponsored “No Welfare for Weed Act” 5/14/15
https://gosar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1958
Votes
2022: Medical Marijuana Research Act, HR 5657
No
2022: MORE Act, HR 3617
No
2021: SAFE Banking Act, HR 1996
No
Veterans Equal Access Amendment
No
McClintock/Polis Amendment
No
Rohrabacher/Farr Amendment
No
Veterans Equal Access Amendment
No
Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
Once again no press release as yet
NORML
Vern Buchanan consistently votes against marijuana reform, and has been outspoken in his skepticism against marijuana.
Comments….
Buchanan says more research into medical marijuana is warranted, and he does not support changing cannabis’ status.
“We support the position taken by Drug Free Manatee that more research is warranted,” Buchanan’s spokeswoman Sally Dionne said in statement to the Herald-Tribune. “In the meantime, Vern sponsored legislation to promote legal alternatives to opioids, greater research and prevention efforts, expanded access to treatment for those in recovery and better screening to catch illegal drugs before they enter the country.
Votes
2021: The SAFE Banking Act, HR 1996
No
2019: The SAFE Banking Act, HR 1595
No
2019: Blumenauer/McClintock/Norton Amendment to Protect Legalization
No
2016: Veterans Equal Access Amendment
No
2015: Rohrabacher/Farr Amendment to Protect Medical
No
Greg Murphy (R-NC)
Yes you guessed it no press release
C-Span
December 5, 2020
Rep. Murphy (R-NC) on the Effects of Marijuana
Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) spoke in opposition to the MORE Act which would ecriminalize cannabis and expunge convictions for non-violent cannabis offenses.
He discussed the medical effects of marijuana and the possible consequences of decriminalizing it
AS A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN, THIS BILL TROUBLES ME. ESPECIALLY WITH ITS RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE YOUTH POPULATIONS. MARIJUANA IS ONE OF THE MOST ABUSED SUBSTANCES ON THE PLANET. I AM SYMPATHETIC TO THOSE WHO USE IT FOR PAIN RELIEF. IT HAS BEEN CLINICALLY PROVEN TO HAVE ACTIVITY IN THIS AREA. A STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE, THE THC COMPONENT OF CANNABIS CAN BE THE MAIN CULPRIT IN PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA. A STUDY FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY SHOWED A FIVE TIMES INCREASED IN PSYCHOSIS AMONG CHRONIC CANNABIS USERS. THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL AGREED THERE WERE SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF MARIJUANA IN ADOLESCENCE AND PREGNANCY. BILL FAILS TO SET ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCTS TO KEEP FROM GETTING INTO THE HANDS OF TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS WHOSE BRAINS ARE DEVELOPING. THE MORE ACT DOES NOT PREVENT THE DISTRIBUTION OF MARIJUANA TO MINORS, DISK — IS AGAINST STATES RIGHTS AND ALLOWS FOR THE POTENTIAL OF MARIJUANA REVENUE TO FUND CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS, GANGS OR CARTELS. I HAVE WHAT SMUGGLING OPERATIONS THIS LEGISLATION MIGHT ALLOW. LEGALIZING WEED WOULD CREATE REVENUE BUT AT WHAT COST? DO WE LEGALIZE COCAINE? MARIJUANA IS A GATEWAY DRUG. IT UNDOUBTEDLY LEADS TO FURTHER AND MORE DANGEROUS DRUG USE. WHILE I BELIEVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAN HAVE SOME ACTIVITY IN THOSE WITH CHRONIC PAIN OR CANCER, THIS BILL SIMPLY GOES WAY TOO FAR.”
NORML
Position on Medical Marijuana
In response to 2022 NC Family Policy Council’s question “Should Congress legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” NO
Response to 2020 NC Family Policy Council’s question “Should Congress legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” NO
Comments
D Indicates that this candidate has expressed no support for any significant marijuana law reform; slightly supportive of minor reforms (CBD) in public comments, but not a co-sponsor of any significant reform. Supportive of minor reform, but opposed to legalization.
Murphy cosponsored Representative Chuck Edwards’ Stop Pot Act in 2023
“Yes, legalizing weed would create revenue from taxes. But at what cost? Do we then start legalizing cocaine? Marijuana is a gateway drug, make no mistake about that. It undoubtedly leads to further and much more dangerous drug use.” (12/04/20)
As a member of the NC House of Representatives, in 2016, Murphy cosponsored HB 983 Legalize & Tax Medical Marijuana, a very limited bill which proposed an exemption for use of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols by patients with terminal or chronic illness.
Votes
2022: Medical Marijuana Research Act, HR 5657
Yes
2022: MORE Act, HR 3617
No
2021: SAFE Banking Act, HR 1996
No
2020: MORE Act, HR 3884
No
2019: The SAFE Banking Act, HR 1595
No
2019: Blumenauer/McClintock/Norton Amendment to Protect Legalization
No
Chuck Edwards (R-NC)
Blow me down.. no press release
I’m clearly opposed to cannabis…marijuana use is a pathway to other drugs, we do not need recreational marijuana in western north carolina
Congressman Edwards questions HHS Secretary on FY25 budget & combatting marijuana’s adverse effects
Position on Marijuana Legalization
The bill calls for withholding 10 percent of federal highway funds from areas that violate federal law under the Controlled Substances Act, which prohibits recreational marijuana and classifies it as a Schedule I drug.
“The laws of any government should not infringe on the overall laws of our nation, and federal funds should not be awarded to jurisdictions that willfully ignore federal law. During a time when our communities are seeing unprecedented crime, drug addiction, and mental illness, the Stop Pot Act will help prevent even greater access to drugs and ease the strain placed on our local law enforcement and mental health professionals who are already stretched thin.”
The Carolina Journal 8/18/2023: Cherokee people should say no to pot
“During my time in the North Carolina Senate, I fought against legalizing marijuana in our state. As your congressman, I am taking this fight to Washington, DC. That’s why I’ll soon be introducing the Stop Pot Act.
It’s important that the tribe understands they will be voting on a measure that, if enacted, could soon be very costly, as the Stop Pot Act will defund governments that ignore federal law. I plan to move forward with this legislation regardless of the results of the tribal vote.”
Position on Medical Marijuana
2024 Family Voter Questionnaire:
5. Should Congress legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes? NO
https://www.ncfamilyvoter.com/candidate/edwards-chuck/
In response to 2022 NC Family Policy Council’s question “Should Congress legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes?” NO
“I just have an uncomfortable feeling that this is going to lead to more alcohol abuse, more drug abuse and being a gateway drug here in North Carolina,” said Republican Sen. Chuck Edwards. “It really seems to not provide any real medical benefit other than allowing folks that are experiencing medical problems to be high.”
“I do have a number of concerns, morally and otherwise, but I’m trying my best to look at this with open eyes, and I might be convinced,” said Sen. Chuck Edwards, a Henderson County Republican.
Comments
F Public opposition to significant marijuana law reform (adult use, medical, and/or decriminalization) but may have sponsored and/or voted in favor of CBD/Hemp specific bills.
Voted Aye on SB168-Expand Allowed Medical Uses/Cannabis Extract – 2019
Did not respond to NC NORML’s 2020 Primary Questionnaire
Gary Palmer (R-AL).
Nedd i say it? No Press Release
But he did have a go at Pelosi back in 2020 although somewhat odd set of comments considering he abstained on this particular vote rather than saying no and on every other cannabis vote he went with a no?
2020: Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2019, HR 3884 ABSTAIN
Palmer Criticizes Pelosi for Prioritizing Marijuana as Americans Struggle
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921
Palmer Criticizes Pelosi for Prioritizing Marijuana as Americans Struggle
Washington, D.C. – This week in Washington, Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the House of Representatives into session, prioritizing votes on legislation that would legalize marijuana and ban private ownership of exotic animals. Congressman Palmer (AL-06) released the following statement:
“Speaker Pelosi and her clueless Democrat colleagues have proven over and over again that their top priorities do not include the hardworking Americans who need help to get through this pandemic,” Palmer said. “This week, their prioritization of pot legalization while people are struggling is a stunning display of partisan politics and shows just how out of touch Democrats are with the American people. The timing of this bill not only reflects a disregard for the businesses that need further relief funding, but also for the rampant mental health and drug overdose issues exacerbated by the pandemic.
“Federal surveys show that since the coronavirus arrived in the U.S., depression and anxiety have been on the rise, with a concerning 75% of young adults now struggling with at least one mental health or drug problem,” Palmer continued. “The Center for Disease Control has also predicted that the U.S. could see 75,500 drug overdose deaths in 2020 if recent trends hold. Pelosi’s pot bill is even more unconscionable with these concerning facts in mind, especially as it ignores common sense safety measures around marijuana use, and also funnels taxpayer dollars to the marijuana industry and convicted drug dealers. In short, the bill would grant easier access to a gateway drug for already vulnerable and struggling people.
“Furthermore, at a time when we should be helping people with employment opportunities, this bill would move us in the wrong direction. Companies with drug-free work environments, many of them also hazardous work environments, should not and will not employ people who might come to work drug-impaired, endangering themselves and others. I hope we don’t waste more opportunities next week for needed relief.”
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) passed the House today by a vote of 228-164.
NORML
“Pelosi’s pot bill is even more unconscionable with these concerning facts in mind, especially as it ignores common sense safety measures around marijuana use, and also funnels taxpayer dollars to the marijuana industry and convicted drug dealers. In short, the bill would grant easier access to a gateway drug for already vulnerable and struggling people.” (12/4/20)
Representative Gary Palmer is mentioned in a news article. ” As a retired army officer who suffers from PTSD, the audience member wanted to know Palmer’s stance on marijuana and the imprisonment of non-violent criminals.
Both topics are state issues, Palmer said, but he added that he does not support widespread use of marijuana.” (8/31/15)
“But I am not for legalizing marijuana,” Palmer said. He said he believes that open marijuana markets, like those in Colorado, “are not a good idea.”
Asked if many people bring that issue up with him, Palmer said “middle-aged and civil libertarian types who haven’t gotten over the 70s.”
“They’re still listening to the Grateful Dead and watching ‘Cheech and Chong’,” Palmer said. “But, with all due respect, they’re voters too, but if that’s their issue, they need to vote for somebody else.” (10/22/14)
Votes
2022: Medical Marijuana Research Act, HR 5657
NO
2022: Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, HR 3617
NO
2021: SAFE Banking Act of 2021, HR 1996
NO
2020: Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2019, HR 3884
ABSTAIN
2019: The SAFE Banking Act, HR 1595
NO
2019: Blumenauer/McClintock/Norton Amendment to Protect Legalization
No
2015: Veterans Equal Access Amendment
No
2015: Rohrabacher/Farr Amendment to Protect Medical
No
2015: McClintock/Polis Amendment to Protect Legalization
No
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