Video: Schumer Says Marijuana Reclassification Is Necessary But Is Not End Of Story, Presents Bill To Federally Legalize Cannabis
U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D), Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D) and Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) on Wednesday
This comprehensive legislation would end the federal prohibition of cannabis by removing it from the list of federally controlled substances and empowering states to create their own laws.
The measure was first introduced in July 2022, following an outline in July 2021. The proposal included plans to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, expunge prior convictions and allow people who are serving time for applicable crimes to petition for resentencing.
The reintroduction comes just one day after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) called for cannabis to be reclassified from Schedule I to Schedule III of the US Controlled Substances Act. This is the first time in history the DEA announced such a move. It came about eight months after the Department of Health and Human Services requested marijuana reclassification.
While Schumer said he was pleased with the news of reclassification and considers it is a step in the right direction, he stressed that placing cannabis on Schedule 3 is not enough to address the harms of the failed War on Drugs, which was often viewed as a “war on people of color.”