Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), called Wednesday for marijuana legalization and for all marijuana-related convictions to end. However, legislation to do this has stalled at the Senate.
“Legalize marijuana. Expunge past marijuana convictions. End the failed War on Drugs,” Sanders wroteFollow us on Twitter.
Sanders’s statement came among an influx of other legislators calling for the passage Marijuana Opportunity and Reinvestment ActThe House passed the bill earlier in the month. The bill would allow those convicted of certain marijuana offenses to have their records expunged. It also fully decriminalizes marijuana across the country. stalled in the SenateIt is unlikely to pass because of the filibuster and Republican opposition.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington), called for the elimination of the filibuster to pass the legislation. “Today would be a great day for the Senate to end the filibuster and pass the MORE Act — which would legalize marijuana and expunge records,” Jayapal saidWednesday
Senate Democrats say that they’re working on their own legislationTo legalize marijuana, it would change the tax system for marijuana sellers and importers.
Let’s be blunt.
We’ve got people behind bars while others make millions in the cannabis industry. We need your help on 4/20. @POTUSTo pardon all cannabis convictions and to erase marijuana debt.
— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) April 20, 2022
Voters are very interested in legalizing marijuana. In November, Gallup foundSupport for legalizing marijuana has been steadily increasing over the past decades. It is now at an all-time high of 68%
Supporters of drug legalization People who are convictedOf marijuana-related crimes Say itThe passage of THE MORE Act could represent a major step forward in social justice in the United States. Black people are nearly four times moreMost likely to be arrested in connection with marijuana use; Black and Latino men are also at risk receive longer prison sentencesMore white men were arrested on similar drug charges than black men.
These discriminations remain even after legalization. In every state where marijuana is currently legalBlack people are more likely to be arrested on marijuana-related charges.
The MORE Act attempts alleviate racial injustice issues caused by marijuana criminalization and war on drug. It taxes legal marijuana sales and distributes the funds to communities that have been particularly affected by the war. It would also be require the Bureau of Labor StatisticsIn order to bring transparency to the marijuana industry, we will publish data on the demographics and employees of marijuana businesses owners and employees. mostly white-owned.
Some social justice activists also seek to create democratically owned businesses as the marijuana market develops from its early stages. Rhode Island for instance, workers are asking state legislators to reserve licenses for worker-owned cooperatives within the industry in order to ensure that there’s space for more equitable businesses with support and participation from the communities they serve.
Legalizing marijuana could also be a huge boon for the government’s coffers. A recent study revealed that marijuana legalization is a major boon for the government’s coffers. that have decriminalized marijuanaSince 2014, have collected tax revenues in excess of $10 billion A study was also done. released last weekThe study found that legalizing marijuana reduces prescription drug demand from Medicaid-funded state programs.
“The reductions in drug utilization that we find could lead to significant cost savings for state Medicaid programs,” said Shyam Raman, a doctoral student at Cornell University and co-author of the study. “The results also indicate an opportunity to reduce the harm that can come with the dangerous side effects associated with some prescription drugs.”
