Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed federal marijuana legalization in New York at the Cannabis Parade & Rally on Saturday. He joined supporters celebrating the state’s newly passed cannabis laws.
“What we have accomplished in New York is just the beginning,” Schumer said during a speech. “We’re going to transfer that energy to Washington.”
Schumer said that it is time to bring the fight to the federal level. For months now he has signaled that he, along with colleagues, intends to bring legislation this session to legalize cannabis nationwide. Be that as it may, the group has yet to reveal its proposal.
“We’re going to put forward advanced, comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory and often bigoted policies,” Schumer said.
Federal Legalization
Schumer was involved in the legalization process for New York. He pushed state lawmakers to support a state legalization law with strong racial equity provisions. Like automatic expungement of past marijuana convictions and priority licensing for people affected by the war on drugs. He said that federal legalization needs to include similar provisions.
He also emphasized the drug war’s historical racial bias. Noting that there are a disproportionate amount of arrests for people of color over marijuana.
Schumer said that he expects bipartisan support for the federal legalization bill. Especially, since more Republican-led states have moved to end prohibition.
Unfortunately, he did not provide an updated timeline for the federal legalization proposal. Two weeks ago, he said it would be placed on the floor “soon”.
Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D) said recently he plans to reintroduce his own legalization bill. The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act. This bill cleared the chamber last year but did not advance in the Senate.
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