# Plain Language Summary: Stop Pot Act of 2023

This bill would penalize states that allow recreational marijuana by cutting their federal highway funding. Specifically, any state where people can legally buy or possess marijuana for recreational use would lose 10 percent of the federal money it receives for road construction and maintenance projects. This funding comes from the federal highway program that helps states build and repair roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure.

The practical effect is straightforward: states that have legalized recreational marijuana would face a significant financial hit to their transportation budgets. Since many states depend on federal highway dollars to fund major road projects, losing 10 percent of that money could mean delayed repairs, fewer new road construction projects, or states having to find alternative funding sources like raising taxes or cutting other programs. For example, a state that normally receives $500 million in federal highway funds would lose $50 million annually if recreational marijuana is legal there.

Currently, 24 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana. If this bill became law, residents in those states would likely see the impact through slower infrastructure improvements and potentially higher state taxes to make up for the lost federal money. The bill essentially uses federal highway funding as leverage to enforce a national policy against recreational marijuana, even though states have independently decided to allow it within their borders.

Stop Pot Act of 2023

Edwards, Chuck

Stop Pot Act of 2023This bill directs the Department of Transportation to withhold 10% of apportioned federal highway funds from states that allow for the lawful purchase or public possession of marijuana for recreational purposes. The bill specifically applies to the withholding of federal funds under the National Highway Performance Program, the&nbsp;Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the&nbsp;Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.