H.R. 5853 – Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:50 PM UTC

The Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed Act would change federal TANF rules so that recipients cannot use their EBT cards to buy goods at any retailer that sells marijuana. It adds this prohibition to the list of places where TANF benefits are barred, and the change would become active two years after the law is passed. The bill affects TANF recipients, state agencies that administer the program, and retailers that sell marijuana.

Key Provisions

Amends the Social Security Act to add a new restriction that TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits cannot be used at any store that sells marijuana.
The restriction applies to the use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards for TANF assistance.
The new rule takes effect two years after the law is enacted.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

June 4, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 16, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

May 16, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

June 4, 2018

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 16, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5853

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 16, 2018

Mr. Reichert (for himself and Mr. Smith of Nebraska) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To prohibit assistance provided under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families from being accessed through the use of an electronic benefit transfer card at any store that offers marijuana for sale.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed Act.

2.

Prohibition on use of electronic benefit transfer card to access TANF assistance at any store that offers marijuana for sale

(a)

Prohibition

Section 408(a)(12)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)(12)(A)) is amended—

(1)

by striking or at the end of clause (ii);

(2)

by striking the period at the end of clause (iii) and inserting ; or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(iv)

any establishment that offers marihuana (as defined in section 102(16) of the Controlled Substances Act) for sale.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.