U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks during the annual NYC Cannabis Parade & Rally in support of the legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use, on May 1, 2021 in New York City. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Senate Democrats have unveiled their proposal to lift the federal ban on marijuana. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his fellow Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) gave a press conference on Wednesday to introduce a draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.
According to a draft of the proposal, the bill aims to expunge federal convictions of nonviolent marijuana charges, remove weed from the Controlled Substances Act and move to set up a tax system in states where the drug is legal.
A marijuana conviction can mean a lifetime of unjust hardship—trouble getting a job, housing, loans & more in addition to thousands of other collateral consequences. It’s time to legalize marijuana, expunge records & restore justice to communities harmed by the failed drug war. https://t.co/2hexx56LM6
— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) July 14, 2021
“There is an urgency to this because there are people all over our country seeing their lives destroyed. They’re hurt, said Booker.
This comes as marijuana has been featured in the political spotlight following Joe Biden’s support for decriminalization amid several states legalizing the drug at least medically. If the bill does pass, states will still be able to ultimately decide their own laws regarding marijuana.
Source: One America News Network
