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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a coalition of other Democratic senators have officially reintroduced a bill to federally legalize marijuana<\/a>.<\/p>\n One day after the Justice Department announced that it is moving to reschedule cannabis in a historic policy shift<\/a>, the senators held a press conference on Wednesday to unveil the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA).<\/p>\n The senators\u2019 move to file the broad legalization measure also comes as industry advocates continue to push to enact narrower legislation focused on cannabis business\u2019s access to banking services.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s past time for the federal government to catch up to the attitudes of the American people when it comes to cannabis,\u201d Schumer said in a press release on Wednesday. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re reintroducing the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, legislation that would finally end the federal prohibition on cannabis while prioritizing safety, research, workers\u2019 rights and restorative justice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have more work to do to address decades of over-criminalization, particularly in communities of color, but today\u2019s reintroduction shows the movement is growing, and I will keep working until we achieve meaningful change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n At the start of the press conference on Wednesday, Schumer said the bill \u201cwould right this grave wrong\u2014and in place of the war on drugs, our bill would lay a foundation for something very different: A just, responsible and common sense approach to cannabis regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch the senators discuss the federal marijuana legalization bill in the video below:<\/b><\/p>\n Wyden stressed that the CAOA \u201cdoesn\u2019t tell states what to do\u2014but it provides them with the tools to effectively implement the laws their voters and legislators choose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPublic health, public safety, opportunity and social justice must be at the core of any cannabis reform proposal, and it\u2019s crucial stakeholders continue to have a seat at the table,\u201d he said. \u201cI look forward to working with my colleagues and advocates across the country to make these priorities a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n During Wednesday\u2019s press conference, Wyden also said DEA\u2019s rescheduling decision should be viewed as a \u201ckick in the pants in terms of: \u2018Congress, get going to deal with it and particularly to not just reschedule but deschedule.’\u201d<\/p>\n Booker, meanwhile, said it\u2019s \u201clong past time to confront the failure of the War on Drugs, particularly its disproportionate impact on communities of color and low-income individuals. We must take proactive and significant steps to rectify these ongoing injustices.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThousands of people have suffered at the hands of our broken cannabis laws, and the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would finally dismantle the outdated federal marijuana prohibition, expunge past convictions for people with low-level cannabis offenses, and ensure restorative justice for communities impacted by the War on Drugs,\u201d he said. \u201cThese common-sense policies will ensure a more equitable criminal justice system and promote public safety.\u201d<\/p>\n We must act on cannabis reform. Together with Leader Schumer and Senator Wyden we are announcing comprehensive federal reforms that will legalize cannabis and restore justice.https:\/\/t.co\/ukIKhIhowq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) May 1, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n The senator also addressed a bipartisan marijuana banking bill that Schumer has championed. He said the last Congress got to the \u201cone yard line\u201d with the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, and \u201cit was a step in the right direction\u201d with certain equity provisions attached.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a notable rhetorical shift compared to the press conference unveiling the original CAOA in 2021, where Booker vowed to block any efforts to advance cannabis banking reform before legalization is enacted<\/a>.<\/p>\n CAOA is being introduced with a total of 18 original cosponsors. In addition to the trio leading the bill, the other members signed on are Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Fetterman (D-PA) Laphonza Butler (D-CA).<\/p>\n Here are the key versions of the CAOA as reintroduced:<\/strong><\/p>\n The bill is largely identical to an earlier version the senators previously introduced in 2022, except that language around fair hiring in banking was removed because that issue has already been addressed in the most recent National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).<\/p>\n Schumer said in a floor speech earlier on Wednesday that the CAOA is a \u201ccomprehensive and necessary update to the federal government\u2019s approach to cannabis.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am proud to be the first majority leader ever to call for an end to the marijuana prohibition because I\u2019ve seen both the consequences of outdated drug laws and the benefits of common sense cannabis regulation at the state level,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s time for Congress to follow suit.\u201d<\/p>\n While advocates support ending federal prohibition, some are withholding their endorsement from the bill unless it is revised to more effectively prevent corporate consolidation in the marijuana market.<\/p>\n \u201cCAOA represents a historic step towards comprehensive federal marijuana legalization and restorative justice. However, in its current form, we cannot endorse the bill,\u201d Shaleen Title, founder and director of the Parabola Center, told Marijuana Moment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt fails to adequately address the high risk of market consolidation that could harm small and POC-owned businesses, leaving a need for additional legislative and regulatory work going forward,\u201d she said. \u201cWithout stronger guardrails, the bill would lead to monopolization by industries that have historically profited from addiction and opposed legalization. We appreciate the sponsors\u2019 commitment to supporting workers and small businesses and remain ready to collaborate on equity-centered solutions as cannabis legalization moves forward.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act we\u2019re introducing would:<\/p>\n Remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances \u2014 Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 1, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n But the overall push for legalization that goes beyond the administrative rescheduling process is also earning praise.<\/p>\n U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC) Senior Vice President of Public Affairs David Culver said in a press release on Wednesday that the organization welcomes the development, adding that the \u201cend of federal cannabis prohibition is within sight, and our nation will need smart legislation to usher in a new era of legal access.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe CAOA is historic in its ambition and sweeping nature,\u201d he said. \u201cWe look forward to reviewing the updated legislative text and engaging in substantive discussions about how to transition away from the illicit market to a regulated national market that provides opportunities for all.\u201d<\/p>\n The bill\u2019s prospects of passage this year are slim. Democrats only hold a narrow majority in the Senate and would need GOP buy-in to advance it through the chamber. And it\u2019s highly unlikely that the GOP-controlled House would take it up, especially under the leadership of anti-cannabis Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead, most advocates and stakeholders are awaiting action on a bipartisan marijuana banking bill that cleared a Senate committee last September and is now awaiting floor action before potentially moving to the House.<\/p>\n \u2014 Schumer and other Democratic senators are \u201ctrying to recruit Republicans\u201d to join them in the push for federal marijuana legalization<\/a>, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) said at an event ahead of 4\/20 last month.<\/p>\n Schumer said in a separate Dear Colleague letter last month that he intends to pass the legislation to \u201csafeguard cannabis banking\u201d as part of a \u201cbusy agenda\u201d<\/a>\u00a0that he hopes to achieve in the \u201cweeks and months ahead,\u201d though he again stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation.<\/p>\n He also recently asked people to\u00a0show their support for the SAFER Banking Act by signing a petition<\/a> as he steps up his push for the legislation. A poll released in March by the American Bankers Association (ABA) shows that roughly three out of five Americans support allowing marijuana industry access to the banking system<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who also sits on that committee, said last month that that \u201cif Republicans want to keep the House,\u201d they should pass the marijuana banking bill<\/a>, arguing that \u201cthere are votes\u201d to approve it.<\/p>\n Schumer told Marijuana Moment in March that the bill remains a \u201cvery high priority\u201d for the Senate<\/a>, and members are having \u201cvery productive\u201d bicameral talks to reach a final agreement.<\/p>\n I was proud to be the first Majority Leader ever to call for an end to the federal marijuana prohibition<\/p>\n I’ll keep pushing to bring cannabis policy into the 21st century<\/p>\n The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act we re-introduce would be an excellent way to make it happen<\/p>\n \u2014 Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 1, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced a bill last month to create federal incentives for states, localities and Indian tribes that expunge low-level marijuana records<\/a>\u2014an equity-focused reform proposal Schumer has repeatedly discussed attaching to the SAFER Banking Act.<\/p>\n Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) also said recently that passing the SAFER Banking Act off the floor is a \u201chigh priority.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0However, he also recently said in a separate interview that\u00a0advancing the legislation is complicated by current House dynamics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a top Democratic House member also\u00a0reintroduced legislation last year to federally legalize, tax and regulate marijuana<\/a>, with provisions to expunge prior cannabis convictions.<\/p>\n The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) recently unveiled a legislative agenda that includes marijuana legalization and expungements<\/a> among a list of priorities that members say Democrats \u201ccan pass with congressional majorities\u201d if they keep the Senate and retake the House in the November elections.<\/p>\n Read the full text of the federal cannabis legalization bill<\/a> below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n DeSantis Will Be \u2018Getting Involved\u2019 In Effort To Defeat Marijuana Measure On Florida Ballot<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n The post Schumer And Other Democratic Senators File Bill To Federally Legalize Marijuana<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a coalition of other Democratic senators have officially reintroduced a bill to federally legalize marijuana. One day after the Justice Department announced that it is moving to reschedule cannabis in aContinue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":458,"featured_media":74848,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81,126],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74847"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74847"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74849,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74847\/revisions\/74849"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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Expunge the criminal records of Americans with low-level marijuana offenses
Help end the harmful War on Drugs, which has been a war on people of color<\/p>\n
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\nRead More: Schumer And Other Democratic Senators File Bill To Federally Legalize Marijuana<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"