WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 01: Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) holds up a sign that reads “Pelosi Priority: Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment Act” as he talks to reporters following the weekly Republican Senate conference meeting in the Mansfield Room at the U.S. Capitol on December 1, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Senate GOP leaders were asked about the chances of Congress passing another coronavirus relief bill along with must-pass government funding legislation. Bill O’Leary-Pool/Getty Images/AFP
US House legislators voted for the first time Friday to decriminalize cannabis, a major step towards bringing federal laws in line with states and other countries that have freed up the use of the drug.
The House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, easily passed the bill by 228 votes to 164. It stands little chance however in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.
The bill would remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which listed it beside heroin and cocaine as a dangerous narcotic and mandated tough penalties.
The drug’s inclusion on the list has left the US federal government out of line with the many states which have legalized marijuana for medical use and some, like Colorado, which has completely freed and regulated it for recreational use.
The bill was the culmination of five decades of supporters lobbying to have the federal government recognize the relatively low harm inflicted by cannabis usage compared to other drugs, as well as the failure to stifle the trade while jailing hundreds of thousands of people for minor offenses.
It would see the records of many people arrested for marijuana use expunged and calls for the review of the sentences of those currently jailed on federal cannabis charges.
And it would let states set their own laws but also launch federal regulation and taxation of the industry, as it does for alcohol.
“This is a historic moment,” said Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who has pushed the legislation.
– Out of step –
Democrats argued that Black Americans have suffered legally much more than whites for arrests and convictions; that federal decriminalization would allow injured veterans better access to medical marijuana, and that longstanding federal blocks on marijuana research would end.
Democrat Earl Blumenauer noted that marijuana usage tests by employers and police are poor and not completely reliable.
“We don’t have a good test and the federal prohibition on research stands in the way of this.”
Some Republicans argued that the bill will encourage usage.
Others said it will create another layer of bureaucracy and taxation in the Treasury department.
One noted that it will place a federal tax of only five percent on cannabis, a fraction of that for tobacco.
But California Republican Tom McLintock said he favored the bill because legalizing and regulating cannabis would take the industry out of the hands of violent growers and traffickers.
McClintock represents a district covering a large section of the Sierra Nevada mountains, where illegal marijuana plantations are relatively common guarded by heavily armed gangs.
“I think marijuana use is a pretty bad idea. My wife and I have never gone near the stuff,” McClintock said before the vote.
However, he said, “We have to recognize that the prohibition law has done far more harm. It has spawned a violent underground economy.”
“Radish farmers don’t kill each other over territory.”
Increasingly the US federal approach is out of line with international trends.
Northern neighbor Canada fully legalized marijuana in 2018 and has a number of large companies growing it commercially.
And Mexico also took a step closer to legalizing marijuana for recreational and medicinal use last month as the Senate approved a bill aimed at undermining the violent gangs that control the supply of the drug, much of it destined for the United States.
On Wednesday the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs voted to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs , where it was included alongside deadly opioids like heroin.
57803 418975I gotta bookmark this internet site it seems really valuable . 778777
559214 621476This web site can be a walk-through its the data you wanted concerning this and didnt know who to ask. Glimpse here, and youll undoubtedly discover it. 333984
783842 207853 You ought to take part in a contest for one of the finest blogs on the internet. I will recommend this website! 54436
578968 929012I view something genuinely special in this web site . 454374
793424 623975Just wanna input on couple of general items, The internet site layout is perfect, the articles is extremely superb : D. 730868
330908 596062Aw, this became an incredibly good post. In concept I would like to set up writing like that additionally – taking time and actual effort to create a fantastic article but what / things I say I procrastinate alot by way of no means appear to get something completed. 982343
53791 793664Great post, effectively put together. Thanks. I will likely be back soon to look at for updates. Cheers 827430
599039 892029How much of an unique write-up, maintain on posting better half 655114
52179 872293This site is my aspiration , really amazing pattern and perfect articles . 831946
716155 598589Wow really glad i came across your internet internet site, i??ll be sure to pay a visit to back now i??ve bookmarked it??. 152199
how to get clomid without dr prescription can you get generic clomiphene online order generic clomiphene without insurance where can i get cheap clomid price cost of clomiphene pill can i buy clomiphene tablets clomid challenge test
More articles like this would frame the blogosphere richer.
More posts like this would bring about the blogosphere more useful.
azithromycin 500mg price – tinidazole 500mg us flagyl 400mg ca
order rybelsus 14mg online – where can i buy rybelsus buy cyproheptadine tablets
domperidone 10mg canada – buy sumycin 500mg for sale flexeril pills
buy generic augmentin 1000mg – https://atbioinfo.com/ order ampicillin generic
order esomeprazole 20mg without prescription – anexamate purchase esomeprazole
buy warfarin 5mg without prescription – https://coumamide.com/ losartan pill
how to buy mobic – relieve pain buy meloxicam 15mg sale
buy deltasone 40mg online – https://apreplson.com/ order prednisone 40mg
buy ed pill – https://fastedtotake.com/ erectile dysfunction drug
cheap amoxicillin – https://combamoxi.com/ amoxil without prescription
833586 222913Right after study some of the weblog posts in your website now, and i genuinely such as your technique for blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and are checking back soon. Pls look into my internet web site likewise and make me aware what you consider. 440948
buy diflucan 200mg for sale – purchase fluconazole for sale order generic diflucan
generic cenforce 50mg – https://cenforcers.com/# order cenforce 50mg pill
tadalafil (exilar-sava healthcare) version of cialis] (rx) lowest price – how to buy tadalafil how long does it take for cialis to start working
where to get the best price on cialis – cheap generic cialis cialis coupon walmart
Proof blog you procure here.. It’s severely to on great worth script like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Withstand guardianship!! comprar neurontin
buy viagra malaysia online – https://strongvpls.com/# viagra sale lloyds pharmacy
Thanks on putting this up. It’s okay done. https://ursxdol.com/furosemide-diuretic/
This is a question which is virtually to my heart… Numberless thanks! Exactly where can I find the contact details due to the fact that questions? https://buyfastonl.com/furosemide.html
I couldn’t resist commenting. Profoundly written! https://prohnrg.com/product/omeprazole-20-mg/