A Democratic Senator says that the “patchwork of” state marijuana laws enacted throughout the country, while the federal prohibition remains the same, allows large corporations to dominate an industry that has been “decimated by the drug war” and harms communities.
In a video that will be shown at an event on fighting monopolization in cannabis industry on the upcoming, Sen. Ed Markey said that the current state-by-state regulation framework “creates confusion” and “barriers that big businesses exploit to make money at the expense communities that have already been decimated by war on drugs.”
This clip gives a glimpse of the type of conversation that small business owners, lawmakers and advocates will have at the “crash course” about federal cannabis policy at the Boston Public Library on Saturday. A video will be shown at the event in which Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA will make a statement.
Join us on Saturday as we chart a new path for federal legalization, focusing on the people and not corporate profits. We’ll hear from marijuana experts, law professors and national leaders such as Senator Ed Markey. Tickets: https://t.co/NHtUJa2lVZ pic.twitter.com/iHGMTgF3JQ
Parabola Center June 7, 2020
The Federal Cannabis Policy crash course will be organized, by the Parabola Center for Law and Policy. This think tank is working to educate the public about the possible ramifications a consolidated ownership of the marijuana industry.
“Monopolies result from concrete policy decisions.” We can promote fairness and encourage competition by moving from the patchwork of state legislation to a consistent set of standards. This will avoid a system that is only beneficial to a small number of large companies like Big Tobacco or Big Pharma.
She said, “We can choose to focus on aspects which are often left out when profits take precedence–like protecting the patients, keeping workers and marginalized communities safe.”
(Disclosure: Title supports Marijuana Moment’s work via a monthly Patreon pledge.)
Title said that the participation of the top legislators and their support “shows the progress we have made” with the senators “standing not only to end the prohibition but to replace it by a model the public wants to be seen.”
Cannabis regulators of color coalition, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, Drug Policy Alliance, Marijuana Justice, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Doctors for Cannabis Regulation will also be attending the event this weekend.
Parabola has released a “anti-monopoly” toolkit ahead of the crash course. This provides an overview of federal and state policy priorities that can be used to stop corporate consolidation.
This event shows that there is an alternative to the corporate giant model being promoted by large conglomerates. Title stated that it is not prohibition and giving up. Title said, “Instead of charting a new course, we are taking into consideration everything we have learned from the state-level legalization process and honoring the people’s vision.”
Parabola in 2021 proposed changes to the federal marijuana legalization legislation passed by the House. The goal was to make the market more equitable, and to empower communities most affected by the prohibition to reap the benefits of the new industry.
Late last year, The Center also raised the alarm regarding the influence of tobacco and alcohol industry in shaping federal cannabis legislation and encouraged lawmakers to reconsider the idea of modelling legal marijuana regulations on those in place for booze.
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) announced in April his intention to introduce a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill. However, its chances of passing in a divided Congress with Republicans controlling the House are uncertain.
Advocates are instead closely watching to see what type of incremental reform may be achievable in this session. For example, a bipartisan Cannabis Banking Bill is expected to get a Senate Committee hearing later this month.
USDA Renames Trade Committee to Recognize Hemp as A Key Specialty Crop
Photo by Philip Steffan.
The post Senator Says “Patchwork” Of Marijuana Laws Lets Big Business Exploit Industry in Remarks for Anti-Monopoly Events first appeared on Marijuana moment.
