Current Affairs, Politics, Science & Health

Schumer proposes federal legislation to decriminalize marijuana | CNBC

Published Wed, Jul 14 202112:51 PM EDT
By Emma Newburger@emma_newburger

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) talks to reporters following the Senate Democrats weekly policy lunch at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, July 13, 2021.
Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters
  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed legislation to legalize marijuana at the federal level.
  • The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and introduce regulations to tax cannabis products.
  • It would also expunge federal records of nonviolent cannabis offenders.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed legislation Wednesday to legalize marijuana at the federal level, a move aimed at easing restrictive drug policies that have disproportionately impacted communities of color and the poor.

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and introduce regulations to tax cannabis products. The proposal would expunge federal records of nonviolent cannabis offenders and allow people serving time in federal prison for nonviolent marijuana crimes to petition a court for resentencing.

“This is monumental. At long last, we are taking steps in the Senate to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said during a press conference at the Capitol. Schumer unveiled the draft along with Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J.

Source: Schumer proposes federal legislation to decriminalize marijuana