The US Senate will consider a bill legalizing the use of marijuana in the country and removing barriers to states seeking to relax their cannabis laws.
The text was introduced by Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Progressive Senators Ron Wyden and Cory Booker, although some members of the party itself opposed it.
United States President Joe Biden has previously expressed his opposition to the legalization of cannabis use.
However, the initiative has little chance of passing, given the Democrats’ narrow majority in the Senate, the fact that it does not have the support of all elements of the party itself, and the rule that almost all legislative projects must be approved by a supermajority of 60 votes.
The bill would eliminate federal convictions related to cannabis use and increase police resources to combat illegal cultivation of the plant.
In addition, it sets up a support system for small business owners who want to get into cannabis production and come from communities that have been particularly affected by drug prosecutions.
“Cannabis legalization has been a huge success at the state level, so it’s time for Congress to catch up,” Schumer said in a statement introducing the bill.
Recreational use of marijuana is currently legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia, home of the US capital Washington.
In addition, 37 of the 50 states allow medical use of the drug.
However, at the federal level, cannabis is still on the list of controlled substances, so in theory Washington could order federal agencies to continue using it, although this does not happen in practice.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
