Three of the top Senate Democrats, Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, and Ron Wyden, have released a statement this week that declare their intention to legalize cannabis in 2021.
“The War on Drugs has been a war on people—particularly people of colour,” the joint statement reads.
“Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war and end decades of harm inflicted on communities of colour across the country.”
The senators also stipulated that as “states continue to legalise marijuana” they will also work to “lift up people who were unfairly targeted in the War on Drugs.”
“We are committed to working together to put forward and advance comprehensive cannabis reform legislation that will not only turn the page on this sad chapter in American history, but also undo the devastating consequences of these discriminatory policies,” they said.
The senators are aiming to release a unified discussion draft on comprehensive reform in the early part of this year “to ensure restorative justice, protect public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations.”
“Last year, we moved heaven and earth to get a bill passed through the House with key criminal justice and restorative justice provisions, but Mitch McConnell blocked consideration,” Oregon’s Democratic representative Earl Blumenauer said.
“Now, new Senate leadership is prepared to pick up the mantle.”
“The missing ingredient in cannabis reform has been Senate action,” Rep Blumenauer said.
“To finally have the active leadership of the new Senate majority leader, rather than being stuck in Sen McConnell’s legislative graveyard, makes all the difference in the world.”
