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Schumer is also expected to corner President Joe Biden – who argued decriminalize marijuana but not legalize it – sign the bill. Yet he has projected confidence on his chances in the past.
“The fact that every member knows once we introduce this bill – not only that they have my support, but that they will come to the floor for a vote – is going to help move things forward in a very strong, ”Schumer said. POLITICO in April.
Key policy details: The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act Discussion Draft includes provisions that respond to both Republican “state rights” and progressive Democrats. While the proposal aims to remove all federal weed sanctions, this would allow states to ban even possession of cannabis – as well as production and distribution – a nod to state rights. It would also establish funding for a wide range of federal research on everything from driving under the influence of drugs to the impact of cannabis on the human brain. The measure aims to collect data on road deaths, violent crime and other public health issues concerns often expressed by Republican lawmakers.
On the other hand, the proposal also includes crucial provisions for progressives. This includes three grant programs designed to help those who are socially or economically disadvantaged, as well as those affected by the War on Drugs and the write-offs of non-violent federal cannabis offenses. States and cities must also create an automatic de-listing program for past cannabis-related offenses in order to be eligible for any grants created by the bill.
The fierce battle: The Senate discussion bill is based in part on a bill that was passed by the Democratic-controlled House in December that sought to remove federal weed penalties, clear some criminal records, and create an agenda grants for social equity, among others. But with the Senate in Republicans’ hands at the time, the legislation was seen as a bill and a means of gauging support for the issue.
Voting in the House was mostly split between parties, with some defections among moderate Democrats who joined Republicans without budging in backing such sweeping reforms. Few Republicans voted for the bill – even Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chair, GOP representative Dave Joyce of Ohio voted no due to concerns about write-offs and the tax structure.
Some Senate Democrats like Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH) have voiced their opposition to the legalization of marijuana, and no Republican has come to replace the questionable Democrats, regardless of local support.
GOP Meaning. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Steve Daines of Montana, both of whom represent states that have adopted recreational weed, remain opposed to federal legalization. But others, like the Senses. Kevin Cramer (ND) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) said they were open to discussing federal reform that still allows states to choose their own policies – Needle Schumer, Booker and Wyden will likely need to wire.
And after: The draft discussion has not yet been officially presented and needs a large contribution from other lawmakers. The offices of Schumer, Wyden and Booker are collecting comment from lawmakers and the general public – including lawyers, the cannabis industry, public health experts and the law enforcement community – until September 1.
The bottom line: Federal legalization of weeds is risky at best, especially given the more pressing concerns about infrastructure spending and pandemic recovery.
Schumer said in April that any bill he introduced was sure to evolve – a bill serving as a starting point to spark discussion with lawmakers unconvinced on both sides.
“We would definitely listen to some suggestions if it brought more people on board,” Schumer said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to throw things like deleting records – very important to us – and stuff like that overboard, just because some people don’t like it.”
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