Nevada Legislature tells Congress to Legalize Marijuana through Newly Passed Resolution

The Nevada Senate approved a Resolution urging Congress on federal legalization of marijuana.

The Senate approved the legislation of Assemblyman Reuben D’Silva, (D), on Wednesday by a vote 18-3.

The document states that although cannabis is “well documented for its medical benefits,” it remains a Schedule I substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act, “alongside Heroin.”

The resolution also notes that Nevada voters approved ballot initiatives legalizing medical and recreational marijuana and that last year, a state district judge ruled that the state Board of Pharmacy’s designation of cannabis as Schedule I 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.

The Resolution states that marijuana does not belong on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This classification is for substances with a high abuse potential and no accepted medical uses.

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 newly-enacted measure mandates that the Assembly’s chief secretary “prepare and send a copy of this Resolution to the Vice President of 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.”

Athar Haseebullah said that in a recent press release, the ACLU of Nevada’s executive director, Athar Haseebullah stated that “the legislature has made its intention crystal clear by passing AJR 8, and this intent is consistent with the Nevada Constitution, namely that cannabis has medical value, and it does not belong to Schedule 1 of Controlled Substances Act.”

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Athar Haseebullah is an attorney. (@atharesq May 24, 2020

He said that “Congress must decide whether to act, but Nevadans’ voices and the intent of the Nevada Legislature are clear.” “Nevada is a leader in the cannabis reform movement.”

In March, 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 a sales bill, which the governor has allowed to become law even 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 month, Senate Majority leader Schumer (DNY) announced that he would be reintroducing the comprehensive cannabis legalization bill. However, the chances of it being passed this session are unlikely given that Republicans hold the majority in House.

The House Rules Committee ruled that the amendment was not in order.

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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.

Last month, a Senate committee approved a bill which would establish a new group to study psychedelics as well as develop a plan for regulated access to therapeutic purposes.

Recently, Nevada’s law enforcement regulators also proposed to revise its employment policy in order that previous marijuana possession convictions for quantities that are now legal will no longer disqualify police recruits.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted separately to submit a proposed regulatory amendement to the Governor which would protect athletes against being penalized for using or possessing cannabis in compliance with state laws.

NSAC, the body that regulates unarmed combat in the state , voted unanimously for 2021 to end the punishment of professional fighters who test positive for marijuana. However, the policy is not yet incorporated into the code. The new amendment will change that.