A proposed piece of legislation in California would allow small-scale cannabis producers to sell and mail their products directly to consumers. The bill, titled the Small and Homestead Independent Producers (SHIP) Act, was introduced by state Rep. Jared Huffman (D). Under this proposal, once the federal government removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, California’s smallest cannabis growers would be permitted to mail their products within the state or to other states where cannabis is legal.
As Congress continues to push toward ending federal cannabis prohibition, widespread concerns have emerged over small businesses’ ability to compete with well-funded multi-state operators. These larger entities possess the resources and infrastructure to expand rapidly, posing a risk of further market consolidation once federal legalization takes effect.
The SHIP Act is intended to mitigate that risk and create more opportunities for small-scale farmers and producers.
“Larger, commercialized cannabis operators are infiltrating the market and squeezing out our local farmers in the process,” Huffman said in a press release on Tuesday. “So when the antiquated federal prohibition on cannabis finally gets repealed, we need to have substantial legislation ready to help these small businesses survive.”
“My legislation would ensure that folks can ship their products straight to consumers, which would both help expand small businesses and ensure farmers stay afloat,” he said. “When full legalization is guaranteed, we must commit to not leaving our smallest family-farmers behind.”
According to the bill text, a “small cultivator of cannabis” refers to farms that cultivate “one acre or less of mature flowering cannabis plant canopy” outdoors, “22,000 square feet or less of cannabis plant canopy” in greenhouses, or “5,000 square feet or fewer of mature flowering cannabis plant canopy” indoors.
Small manufacturers are defined as “a person who produces a manufactured cannabis product”—including salves, tinctures, edibles, or concentrates—with a gross annual revenue of less than $5 million.
The current version of the proposal includes several key amendments compared to the original draft. It now requires the U.S. Postal Service or “any private or commercial interstate carrier” delivering cannabis to verify that recipients are at least 21 years old.
Additionally, the bill clarifies the federal preemption of state marijuana laws in relation to interstate commerce. States that prohibit cannabis would retain the right to do so, but may not prevent the lawful transport of cannabis products across their borders. On the other hand, in states where cannabis is legal, federal law would preempt any local laws “to the extent that such laws restrict the interstate or intrastate shipment of cannabis or a cannabis product directly to an individual with respect to whom the possession of cannabis or a cannabis product is lawful under the laws of the State.”
The latest version also includes a provision to amend U.S. postal regulations, directing that “the Postal Service is authorized and directed to permit the transmission in the mails, under regulations to be prescribed by it, of cannabis.”
The SHIP Act has garnered support from numerous industry and advocacy organizations, including the National Craft Cannabis Coalition, Minority Cannabis Business Association, National Cannabis Industry Association, Drug Policy Alliance, Parabola Center, Marijuana Justice, Veterans Cannabis Coalition, Origins Council, Washington Sun & Craft Growers Association, Vermont Growers Association, Maine Craft Cannabis Association, Humboldt County Growers Alliance, Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Trinity County Agricultural Alliance, and the Central California Cannabis
- The news is soured from Ganjapreneur and Marijuana Moment
Post time: Jul-25-2025
