Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (DNY) and key congressional legislators are speaking at a 4/20 special event inside the Capitol Building, on Thursday. They will be laying out their ideas for marijuana reform during the 118th Congress.
The National Cannabis Policy Summit also features the bipartisan cochairs of Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Reps. Earl Blumenauer(D-OR), Barbara Lee(D-CA), Dave Joyce(R-OH), and Brian Mast(R-FL).
Schumer, who presented a federal marijuana bill in the past year, while working to gain consensus on a package of cannabis bank and expungements laws, will be expected to give his opinion about the current status of marijuana discussions and what he expects to achieve this year.
Watch Schumer speaking in the video below at the National Cannabis Policy Summit Congressional Forum:
Words from @SenSchumer at the National Cannabis Policy Summit’s Congressional Forum #420day https://t.co/WEqnAxUO1I
Minority Cannabis (@MinCannBusAssoc). 20 April 2023
Even though Republicans now control the House, the majority leader’s attempts to pass the SAFE Plus package may not have succeeded last Congress. However, it is hoped that these conversations will help lay the groundwork for bipartisan progress on the issue in this session.
Schumer has also met with Democratic members , and Republican members during the first months of the new Congress in order to discuss proposals which might have bipartisan support this year.
Blumenauer, who earlier this week filed a bill to allow marijuana businesses to claim federal tax deductions, stated at a Wednesday press briefing that he believes it is important that advocates align with lawmakers on any incremental proposals that will end the drug-war, cautioning against an “all or nothing” mentality.
The event on Thursday will also feature Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-CO and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-SC. Senator Schumer was governor of Colorado at the time that voters legalized adult-use marijuana. Mace introduced her own federal marijuana legislation last year.
This policy-focused event, which took place in the Capitol Building, is the first one of its kind. It’s a sign that marijuana issues are becoming more normalized as more states legalize it and pressure continues to grow for federal reform.
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In the weeks leading up to the 4/20 holiday, several additional cannabis bills were also filed. However, lawmakers did not explicitly state that this timing was connected to the holiday.
Bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate re-filed bills Tuesday, including one to legalize marijuana for veterans.
On Tuesday, Joyce and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of NY re-filed the Harnessing Opportunities through Pursuing Expungement Act (HOPE), which would provide federally funded grants to encourage state and local cannabis expunctions.
Last week, Hakeem Jeffreys (D-NY), the House Minority Leader, and Joyce filed a bill to help prepare the federal government to legalize marijuana. The measure directs the Attorney General to create a commission that will study cannabis and make recommendations on how to regulate it in a similar way to alcohol.
Schumer used the 4/20 unofficial cannabis holiday as an opportunity in the past to reaffirming his commitment to end prohibition, including in a speech on the Senate Floor in 2021.
He also talked about his “promise” of introducing his much-anticipated bill at last year’s National Cannabis Policy Summit held during the week of April 20. The majority leader kept his promise during the summer. However, the legislation didn’t advance.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ was one of the cosponsors of this legalization bill. He recently made headlines when he revealed that he considers marijuana a “dangerous” and that it should be studied and regulated more. He also lamented the lack of equity he sees in state-level legalization.
As has become an annual tradition 4/20 has inspired many celebrities, organizations, government agencies and brands to tap into the cannabis culture by creating their own messages, campaign and promotions.
Politicians And Government Agencies Mark 4/20 As Marijuana Legalization Movement Expands
Image element provided by Tim Evanson.
The post Watch live: Schumer talks marijuana reform plans at 4/20 event inside the U.S. Capitol first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
