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Senate Democrats Reintroduce Bill to Federally Legalize Marijuana, Unveil Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), along with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), have reintroduced a bill to federally legalize marijuana. This move comes one day after the Justice Department announced a historic policy shift to reschedule cannabis. The senators unveiled the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) at a press conference on Wednesday.
Schumer emphasized the need for the federal government to align with the attitudes of the American people regarding cannabis. The bill aims to end the federal prohibition on marijuana while prioritizing safety, research, workers’ rights, and restorative justice. Wyden highlighted that the CAOA provides states with the tools to implement their chosen cannabis laws effectively.
Booker stressed the importance of addressing the failures of the War on Drugs, particularly its impact on communities of color. The CAOA seeks to dismantle outdated federal marijuana prohibition, expunge past convictions, and promote restorative justice for impacted communities. The bill includes provisions for expunging low-level federal cannabis convictions, creating a federal regulatory framework for the marijuana industry, and establishing grant programs for job training and legal aid.
While the bill faces challenges in passing this year due to the narrow Senate majority, advocates are hopeful for progress. Schumer and other Democratic senators are working to recruit Republican support for federal marijuana legalization. Additionally, efforts are underway to pass a bipartisan marijuana banking bill that has cleared a Senate committee and is awaiting floor action.
Overall, the reintroduction of the CAOA signals a significant step towards comprehensive federal marijuana legalization and restorative justice. While some advocates have concerns about market consolidation in the cannabis industry, the bill’s ambition and scope are seen as historic and transformative. The push for federal cannabis reform continues to gain momentum, with bipartisan cooperation being key to achieving meaningful change.
