Currently, my company, Talaria Transportation, is legal in 52 countries, 39 states, and the District of Columbia—but federally illegal in the United States. It doesn’t matter that medical cannabis was a patented, medicinal remedy in the 19th and early 20th centuries of the U.S. It doesn’t matter that medical cannabis has eased chronic pain and suffering for a thousand years. And it doesn’t matter that it is legal in my home state of Pennsylvania. The second my trucks transport legal, medical cannabis across state lines—we have committed a crime.
The cannabis industry is at a crossroads. We’ve built a legitimate, job-creating sector that serves millions of Americans, but we’re still operating in a legal gray area that makes it harder—sometimes nearly impossible—to grow and innovate. Cannabis prohibition is a relic of the past, and history tells us exactly how this ends. Just as alcohol prohibition collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions, so too will the federal ban on cannabis. The only question: How long will it take?
A modern-day prohibition
The parallels between cannabis prohibition today and alcohol prohibition a century ago are striking. When the U.S. outlawed alcohol in 1920, it didn’t end demand—it just forced business underground. A thriving black market emerged, violence escalated, and the federal government wasted enormous resources trying to enforce a law that the public didn’t support. Ultimately, the government came back around, repealing the 21st Amendment and ending prohibition in 1933.
Cannabis prohibition follows a similar script. The difference is that we already have a massive, state-regulated industry in 39 states that generates billions of dollars in tax revenue, creates jobs, and provides medical relief to patients reliant on cannabis for conditions ranging from epilepsy to PTSD. Yet, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level—classified alongside heroin as having “no medical value.” It also holds no tax value for the federal government at a time when the administration has pledged to reduce the deficit.
This contradiction creates unique challenges. Banking remains one of the biggest hurdles for legal cannabis businesses, forcing many to operate in cash, which increases security risks and makes financial management unnecessarily complicated. Business owners are also hit with crippling taxes due to IRS Code 280E, which prevents cannabis companies from deducting normal business expenses. These outdated policies are stifling innovation and making it harder for legitimate companies to compete with the illicit market.
Where will the cannabis industry be in five years?
Despite these obstacles, I remain optimistic. In five years, the cannabis industry will look vastly different. Here’s why:
- Federal Legalization or Rescheduling: Public support for legalization is at an all-time high, with nearly 70% of Americans in favor of federal reform. Whether through full legalization or reclassification to a Schedule III drug, federal reform is inevitable.
- Banking and Financial Reform: The SAFE Banking Act, which would grant cannabis businesses access to traditional banking services, has bipartisan support. Once passed, this will be a game-changer, allowing the industry to scale in ways that are currently impossible.
- Interstate Commerce and Expansion: Right now, cannabis businesses are stuck operating within state lines, creating inefficiencies and price disparities. Federal reform would open the door to interstate commerce, allowing companies to expand and operate more efficiently, similar to how distributors in the alcohol and tobacco industries operate.
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Integration: More research is being conducted on cannabis than ever before proving the medical benefits to be undeniable. In the coming years, we’ll see greater integration between cannabis and the pharmaceutical industry, leading to more tailored, evidence-based treatments.
- Mainstream Acceptance and Corporate Investment: As legal barriers fall, major corporations and institutional investors will enter the space. This will drive innovation, increase product diversity, and ultimately lead to cannabis being as normalized as alcohol.
Why I’m optimistic
I’ve been in this industry long enough to see the remarkable progress we’ve already made. Ten years ago, the idea of legal cannabis in nearly 40 states was unthinkable. Today, we’re getting closer and closer to the reality of federal change. The movement is no longer just about cannabis advocates, it’s about patients, doctors, veterans, and everyday Americans who see the benefits of legalization.
At Talaria, we operate with the knowledge that change is coming. We continue to prepare for the future, knowing that the day will come when we no longer have to operate beneath outdated federal laws. The cannabis revolution is here—it’s just a matter of time before Washington catches up.
It’s time for Congress to do what they did in 1933—end prohibition, embrace reality, and give this industry the legitimacy it deserves. The future of medical cannabis isn’t a question of if—it’s a question of when. And when that day comes, those of us who have been building this industry from the ground up will be ready.
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
