Early in the month of September, the members of the United States Conference of Mayors decided to try and bring an end to the criminalization of marijuana. They sought to call on President Biden to federally legalize marijuana. Additionally, they hope to expunge prior cannabis convictions and allow for social equity among commercial sales. On top of seeking social equity for those involved, the members sought to allow for the government to gather taxes on what they believe could become a “global multi-trillion dollar industry. This is considering how early US sales already generating billions of dollars.”
Understanding Social Equity
When examining the social inequity, the mayors explained that the people from communities anti-marijuana enforcement targets are underrepresented in business ownership in state-legal markets. What this means is that certain groups that live in marijuana-prohibited areas are less likely to own businesses in pro-marijuana areas.
Additionally, they went on to describe the failure of cannabis equity initiatives. They specifically reference those that use race-neutral qualification standards in states and cities. Specifically, the members stated how these initiatives “failed to create equitable market participation and leverage the benefits of diversity”. What this means is that the initiatives didn’t actually reach the actual equality they were meant for and get the benefits they were seeking.
They also stated that passing one of the Senate’s two bills that they put forward was a “first step towards ending the failed ‘War on Drugs.’” This would supposedly repair the harm caused across generations on minority communities. The mayor’s group also stated how it could prevent further harm caused by criminalization and intentional barriers.
Seeking Legalization
To these ends, the members called on Congress and President Joe Biden to remove Delta 9 THC and its derivatives from the DEA’s list of controlled substances. They also sought to “end criminal penalties for cannabis possession and use,” meaning Congress would fully legalize marijuana with no restrictions. Additionally, the members sought to make it automatically expunge all past cannabis convictions. This would involve resentencing and restoring all rights, particularly voting rights.
Improving Connotations
The members of the group also sought to change how the law views cannabis. Specifically, they wanted to change the public policies. This would have them describe cannabis as medicine and an actual treatment for health conditions. They also sought to protect cannabis patients from THC-based drug screening. Specifically, this would focus on screenings for employment or public resources, like housing, financial assistance, and health care.
Giving it a Retry
The members of the group have actually attempted to change the legalization status of marijuana. In 2018, they approved a resolution that demanded the federal government remove cannabis from the list of controlled substances. The members also called on cities in pro-marijuana states to expunge people’s past convictions.
In 2013, they also approved a resolution demanding that the federal government respect local cannabis laws, which the goverment approved.
Hope For the Future
With a majority of the mayors fully behind the movement to legalize marijuana, there is a chance that the Biden administration could be pushed to make changes. This would help with the many studies already published focusing on the benefits of cannabis.
Hopefully, they will allow the legalization of marijuana or allow further study of the benefits.
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