Schumer Introduces Bill to Federally Decriminalize Marijuana

What’s the story?

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has introduced a bill to decriminalize and regulate marijuana at the federal level.

“The time to decriminalize marijuana is now,” Schumer said.

• The Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

What would the bill do?

• Remove marijuana from the list of scheduled substances. “Under existing law, the federal government considers marijuana as dangerous as heroin and treats it less favorably than cocaine. That has to change,” Schumer tweeted in April, when first announcing the bill.
• Establish funding for women- and minority-owned marijuana businesses “to ensure those disproportionately affected by marijuana criminalization can benefit from this new economy.”
• Invest $500 million over five years into the Department of Health and Human Services for “THC research needed to prevent unintended effects on our youth and to ensure highway safety.”
• Maintain federal authority to regulate interstate trafficking so that marijuana from states that have legalized pot doesn't pour into states where it remains illegal.

What do you think?

Do you want your reps to support the the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act? Hit Take Action and let them know, then share your thoughts below.

 —Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Nastasic / iStock)