It’s been two weeks since Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced his support for the federal decriminalization of marijuana on the substance’s unofficial holiday, 4/20. With lawmakers returning to the Capitol for work next week, here’s a look at seven marijuana-related bills in Congress now for you to weigh in on:
- S. 2667 - Hemp Farming Act: This bill would legalize the farming of recreational marijuana’s cousin, hemp, which is a versatile crop that can be used in products ranging from food to clothing. Given that it’s sponsor is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), this bill may have the easiest path of those on our list to an actual vote and eventually becoming law.
- S. 1374 - CARERS Act: A bipartisan bill authored by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rand Paul (R-KY), this legislation would reclassify marijuana as a schedule II drug — meaning it has a legitimate medical use — and allow states to operate medical marijuana programs without federal interference.
- H.R. 1824 - Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act: This bill from Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) aims to reduce the gap between federal and state marijuana laws. It’d end federal criminal penalties and civil asset forfeiture for individuals and businesses complying with state law in addition to reducing barriers for legal marijuana businesses and protecting marijuana consumers.
- H.R. 975 - Respect State Marijuana Laws Act: This bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) with 45 bipartisan cosponsors (31 Ds & 14 Rs) would protect people and businesses that comply with state marijuana laws from federal prosecution.
- H.R. 1227 - Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act: Another bipartisan effort, this time from Reps. Tom Garrett (R-VA) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), would end eliminate all federal marijuana crimes — except for shipping or transporting weed into a state where it is illegal.
- H.R. 1841 - Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act: This bill from Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) would legalize marijuana at the federal (except for shipping it to states where it’s illegal) and give the to-be-renamed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Firearms and Explosives (ATMFE) oversight authority.
- S. 776 - Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act: Sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), this bill would federally legalize marijuana (although states could maintain prohibitions) and impose a 25% excise tax on recreational marijuana sales.
Tell your reps whether they should support or oppose these marijuana bills using the Take Action button and share your thoughts below!
— Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Nastasic / iStock)
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