American multinational technology company Amazon is lobbying the U.S. government on cannabis policy during the second quarter of 2021. News of Amazon supporting the U.S. government on cannabis reform comes courtesy of a Business Insider report. 

While the report did not specify which areas of cannabis policy will be focused on by lobbyist members of Amazon, it did note that 167 groups partook in cannabis-related lobbying efforts during the second quarter of 2021 — an increase from 162 during Q1 2020.

This marks a first for the Seattle-headquartered company, which revealed in June that it plans to actively support the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021 (MORE Act).

Will Amazon start delivering weed now that it publicly supports cannabis reform?

Tech company Amazon’s embracive stance towards federal cannabis legalization prompted many industry followers to ask the question, “will Amazon start delivering cannabis flower, cartridges and edibles to people’s doors?”

Weed delivery services are becoming increasingly popular. This is especially true amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made it difficult for consumers to obtain their favorite plant; mainly due to social distancing measures and brick-and-mortar store closures. 

Considering the fact that Amazon chooses not to deliver age-restricted products like alcohol and cigarettes, the prospect of a cannabis delivery service transpiring looks bleak.

Nonetheless, this has not stopped companies like Eaze from capitalizing on the growing cannabis market. Described as the “Uber of pot,” Eaze hit news headlines in July for becoming the first shoppable cannabis delivery app featured on the Apple App Store.

Amazon recently announced it will stop screening employees for cannabis consumption

In June, hopeful Amazon job applicants were informed that they will no longer be required to undergo mandatory drug testing for cannabis, so long as they are applying for jobs at the company’s warehouses and/or offices.

Since THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is known for producing mind-altering effects that may increase the risk(s) of traffic accidents, the same rule does not apply for people who are seeking delivery driving roles at Amazon.

News of Amazon embracing the world of cannabis reform has been applauded by a handful of media outlets, including Forbes and political news outlet Politico.

“A number of advocacy and industry groups, including Drug Policy Alliance, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and Canopy Growth Inc., have reported meeting with Amazon officials in the past month to discuss federal [cannabis] policy,” reads an excerpt from a separate report that was issued last week by Politico.