Nevada Assembly passes resolution urging Congress to federally legalize marijuana

The Nevada Assembly approved a resolution calling on Congress to legalize cannabis, and sent it to the state Senate.

On Monday, Assemblyman Reuben D’Silva’s (D) legislation was approved by the chamber with a vote of 37-5.

The document states that although cannabis has “many medically documented uses,” it remains a Schedule I substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act, “alongside Heroin.”

The resolution also notes that Nevada voters approved ballot initiatives for legalizing medical and recreational marijuana and last year , a state district judge ruled the state Board of Pharmacy’s designation of cannabis to be a Schedule 1 substance was unconstitutional.

Cannabis is not covered by health savings accounts or medical insurance because it’s classified as marijuana.

The article goes on to discuss financial barriers marijuana businesses face due to federal prohibition. This includes the lack of banking services, which forces many licensed businesses into operating on a cash only basis. This makes them easy targets for criminals.

A shout out to Assembly and Senate Republicans, including @Danielle4nv1 @hammond4nevada @PKONeillNV and others, who joined as co-sponsors and showed that this wasn’t a political issue but rather the will of Nevadans as embodied in our own constitution. https://t.co/zyOx5T5f7m

Athar Haseebullah is an attorney. (@atharesq 24 April 2023

The Resolution states that marijuana does not belong on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This classification is for substances that are exceptionally dangerous, have a high abuse potential and do not currently have a medical use.

The members of the 82nd Session Nevada Legislature urge Congress to support legislation that would remove cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

The measure, if passed, would require that the Assembly’s chief secretary “prepare and send a copy of this Resolution to the Vice-President of the United States, as the presiding Officer of the United States Senate and the Speaker of United States House of Representatives, and to each member of Nevada Congressional Delegation.”

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Last month, the Delaware Senate approved a similar resolution that calls on the federal government to end marijuana prohibition. This vote was taken weeks before the state legislature passed two cannabis legalization bills and sales bills that Governor has allowed to become law without his signature .

Ayanna Pressley, a Democratic Representative from Massachusetts (D-MA), filed a congressional resolution in 2021 that similarly called on federal policymakers to legalize marijuana and expel all previous non-violent cannabis convictions.

Last week, Senate Majority leader Schumer (DNY) announced that he would be reintroducing his comprehensive marijuana legalization legislation. However, the chances of it being passed this session are unlikely given that Republicans have now taken control of the House.

Nevada lawmakers have passed a number drug-policy bills this session. One of them is a proposal that would increase the state’s limit on cannabis possession, and remove employment barriers in the marijuana industry.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted earlier this month to approve a revised version of a bill which would establish a new group to study psychedelics and create a plan for regulated access to therapeutic purposes.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is considering amending its rules in order to protect athletes against being penalized for using or possessing cannabis in accordance with state laws. On Monday, a public meeting was held to discuss the proposed reform.