WASHINGTON: The Senate’s top Democrats are backing a bill that would end a longstanding federal ban on marijuana, embracing a proposal that has little chance of becoming law, yet moving to decriminalize the drug. Demonstrates public support.
Proposals to legalize marijuana are nothing new. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is a sponsor of the effort unveiled on Wednesday, underscoring how the once-fringe idea is increasingly mainstream. The measure would destroy a central pillar of the decades-long war on drugs that has disproportionately affected communities of color in the United States.
“I will use my influence as majority leader to make it a priority in the Senate,” said Schumer of New York, who is the first Senate leader to support such an effort. This is not just an idea whose time has come, it is long overdue.
The bill would treat marijuana like alcohol or tobacco, making it taxed and regulated. States can still outlaw its use. And people under 21 couldn’t buy it. It would be illegal to sell in large quantities without the proper license and authorization, as would the illegal business of alcohol. It will also pave the way for additional cannabis medical research.
But in addition to removing barriers to recreational use, advocates say the bill will help the poor and those in communities of color who have been disproportionately arrested, charged, and jailed for marijuana offenses.
The bill would weed out federal nonviolent convicts and allow their records to be sealed. Those currently serving sentences related to nonviolent marijuana can also seek a review hearing and receive an expulsion.
Cory Booker of New Jersey, who, along with Oregon Sen., also sponsors the bill, said the precious resources we have are being used to lock… For what Presidents, Congressmen and Senators have done. Ron Widen.
One such bill has been passed in the House. But the measure faces an almost non-existent path in a narrowly divided Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to pass.
Schumer acknowledged that not all Democrats support the bill. That includes President Joe Biden, who has said he supports decriminalizing marijuana, but believes the federal prohibition should remain.
I’ve talked about presidents’ views on marijuana in the past. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that nothing has changed and there is no new support for the legislation today.
Republicans and influential law enforcement groups are also sure to oppose it.
I don’t understand why Republicans who say they’re for states’ rights won’t support what my colleagues are talking about.” What this bill does is that we criminalize at the federal level. But we don’t need to legitimize the states.”
Schumer and other sponsors of the bill say their proposal is a discussion draft” intended to start negotiations.
Although 18 states have legalized recreational use and 37 allow for any type of medical marijuana, the remaining federal prohibition has caused a headache for industry in states where it is legal, making banking services available to businesses. And getting loans becomes difficult.
Those in the marijuana industry called Schumer’s support a significant advance.
It’s a big question and I’m a realist, said Joe Caltabiano, CEO of Choice Consolidation Corp. and cofounder of Cresco Labs. It will take a long time to bring this bill through Congress.
Maritza Perez of the Drug Policy Alliance said Congress is finally catching up to where the general public has long been. Meanwhile, those convicted of marijuana-related offenses face life-changing consequences, making it difficult to find jobs or receive public benefits.
Earlier this month, American sprinter Shakari Richardson was dropped from the US team’s Olympic roster after a positive test for marijuana, giving her the opportunity to run on the relay team in Tokyo in addition to her spot in the 100-meter individual race. Got a chance
Today is a historic day in the sense that we have a Senate majority leader introducing a bill to regulate and legalize marijuana. It’s huge, said Perez, who is director for the organization in the Office of National Affairs. To the public, marijuana has become culturally acceptable. But people forget that more than half a million people are arrested each year for possession of marijuana.
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