More than 50 years after Congress made marijuana illegal, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced sweeping legislation to decriminalize weed on the federal level and allow states to set their own marijuana laws without fear of punishment from Washington. But the bill, which has some bipartisan support, isn’t likely to pass, even with Democratic control of the White House and Congress. Currently, 19 states have legalized recreational pot, and 37 states have medical marijuana programs, and polls show that a majority of Americans approve of legalization, although on the local level a majority of municipalities in legal states have banned retail sales. Gaining congressional approval will be tricky due to competing interests. Republicans who favor decriminalization are unhappy with the provision to expunge cannabis-related convictions and grants to promote social equity among pot entrepreneurs. Even some Democrats from states where is legal don't support federal-level decriminalization. It’s also uncertain if Biden, who has in the past said he does not support federal weed legalization, would sign it. Many of the last-minute changes added to the bill came from Republicans seeking more clarity about pot and public health; they include law enforcement grants, a nationwide youth prevention campaign, and traffic safety research into the impact of pot on driving. Still, passage remains uncertain, especially with mid-term elections looming.
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Rosenthal Center for AddictIon Studies