According to a new report, there appears to be growing support among Democrats to introduce federal legislation that would legalize marijuana before the cannabis holiday, 4/20.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are behind the movement, sharing their support for the legislation in a Dear Colleague letter, which Politico obtained.
In the letter, the three top Democrats shared that a “growing number of Americans have made it clear, at ballot boxes, through their legislatures, and with their dollars: the War on Drugs has failed, and the federal government must respect the decision of states that have chosen to legalize cannabis.”
Later this month, the group of Senators is expected to introduce The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which is believed to be an earlier version of the bill they previously introduced in 2022, Marijuana Moment reported.
“The question today is not whether cannabis should be legal—many states have already moved ahead. The question now is whether cannabis should be subject to the same high regulatory standards, based on preserving public health and safety, that apply to alcohol and tobacco,” Schumer, Wyden, and Booker wrote to colleagues, Politico reported.
The letter went on to say that the legislation is necessary to address those who were harmed by “the failed War on Drugs, predominantly from communities of color, receive the justice they deserve after decades of over-criminalization.”
“And the federal government must catch up with the states and recognize that the prohibition of cannabis has stymied research into the effects of cannabis, made it easier for the illicit market to thrive, and ensnared thousands of people arrested for simple cannabis possession in the criminal justice system,” the letter said.
The letter says that the bill is set to be reintroduced “by the end of April 2024,” and they are requesting members indicate whether they would like to be added as original sponsors by April 19, the day before April 20, also known as marijuana’s holiday.