Georgia has brought positive news with hope for cannabis reform. Both Senate seats saw Democratic victories recently. With an even number of both Republican and Democratic Senate members, the tie breaking is left to Vice President Kamala Harris. Because of this Democratic swing, many cannabis advocates and producers are excited to see change coming to the Senate.

MORE Act

Just last month, a bill passed the House to reschedule cannabis under the MORE (Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement) Act. This act would reschedule cannabis from a Schedule I drug. It would also remove prior convictions for low level crimes, such as possession.

“Across this nation, thousands of men and women have suffered needlessly from the federal criminalization of marijuana, particularly in communities of color and have borne the burden of collateral consequences for those ensnared in criminal legal systems that have damaged our society across generations,” Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D) said in regards to the MORE Act. “This is unacceptable and we must change our laws. It is time for Congress to catch up with the reforms that states are enacting.”

Previously, Minority Senate Leader Chuck Schumer stated that reform would be incredibly difficult to pass with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in charge. But with these Senate seat changes in Georgia, the new presumed Majority Leader Schumer can move forward with cannabis reform. Senator Schumer often goes to Twitter to state his opinion. He is also very open with the legal process and why lawmakers are resisting reform. Citizens’ lives would be better with the legalization of cannabis use. Unfortunately, Republican lawmakers have put a halt to reform in the past. This could possibly change in the near future.

Future of Reform

Legalization must still go to the Senate floor for debate before approval. With the change in the dynamic of the Senate, things are looking up for cannabis reform.

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