Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority leader (D-NY), is working to advance a bipartisan bill on marijuana banking. He’s calling for supporters to demand that the federal government also legalize marijuana.
In an email sent to supporters this week, Senator Sanders said that “it is time to legalize cannabis nationwide.” He asked them to sign an online petition to end the prohibition of cannabis.
The sign-on sheet, which is used as a tactic to build an email list and fundraising list for a campaign, states that “over 40% of Americans live in red and blue states where marijuana has been legalized, and support for legalizing marijuana is overwhelming no matter what your party.”
Sign up to demand the Federal Government end its prohibition of marijuana.
Schumer’s email blast, which directs users to the form, also states that “marijuana should not be criminalized at the federal level.”
It says: “And by reinvesting tax revenues into communities most affected by the failed War on Drugs, we can fund efforts to erase prior marijuana convictions,” It’s time to end federal prohibition on marijuana.
Schumer has leveraged his support of marijuana legalization in campaign fundraising campaigns . This included in 2021, when he proclaimed the issue to be a Democratic legislative priorit.
No marijuana legalization bills have been introduced on the Senate’s side so far in this session. Schumer did champion a comprehensive reform bill which ultimately failed to advance during the previous Congress.
A bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana was introduced by House Democrats Wednesday. Its prospects are bleak, however, given that the GOP controls the chamber.
While a full-scale legalization of marijuana may seem far-fetched under the current Congress’s leadership, advocates and stakeholders are growing more optimistic about a bipartisan cannabis banking bill Schumer also supports and that is due to be marked up by the Senate Banking Committee next week.
Schumer reiterated his commitment on Wednesday to advancing the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act as quickly as possible. He also said he would push for legislation to be attached to cannabis expungements and firearm rights for marijuana users.
The lead GOP senator who sponsored the SAFER Banking Act plans to introduce a new bill to stop marijuana being legalized federally by the Food and Drug Administration without Congress approval.
Below is the complete text of Schumer’s email demanding federal marijuana legalization.
It’s time, my friend, to legalize cannabis nationwide. Please sign your name beside mine if you agree.
Marijuana should not be criminalized at the federal level.
Over 40% of Americans — red states as well as blue states — live in states that have legalized marijuana. Support for legalizing marijuana is overwhelming no matter what party you belong to.
By legalizing marijuana across the country, we will be able to reinvest in communities that have been most affected by the failed War on Drugs. We can also fund efforts for expunging prior marijuana convictions.
The federal prohibition on marijuana must be lifted. Sign my petition if you agree.
Onward,
Chuck Schumer
The GOP sponsor of the Marijuana Banking bill will file a new measure to block FDA from legalizing cannabis
The post Schumer circulates petition to ‘demand’ federal marijuana legalization as he works to advance cannabis banking bill first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
