Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act: Biden Doesn’t Want It & Schumer Admits Not Having The Votes

The uphill struggle continues

White House Press Conference comments

 

Forbes reports

The passage of the bill is going to be a challenge.

During a press conference at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Ron Wyden of Oregon unveiled a draft of their bill, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which if passed, will end the federal ban on marijuana and regulate and tax it like alcohol and tobacco.

 

With the Senate split 50-50 Democrats and Republicans, Schumer needs at least 60 votes to defeat a filibuster and get the bill passed. The senators know that they will now have to whip votes if they want to see the bill passed.

“We don’t have the votes necessary at this point,” Schumer said during the press conference. “But we have a large majority of our caucus for it. We’re going to show it to the others and say, ‘Well, what don’t you like? What do you like? And we’ll see if we can get the support.’ We’re going to put our muscle behind it, all our effort behind it, and we’re going to get this done ASAP.”

The proposal is a discussion draft, not a formal bill. The senators will be taking comments from Congress and the public until September 1 and then submit the final legislative language.

Schumer said he understands it’s going to be a challenge, but he is encouraged. “We’re going to fight hard to change and America is on our side,” he said, referring to the fact that 70% of Americans support legalization and 18 states, including his home state of New York, have legalized adult-use. He also pointed to the fact that South Dakota, via a ballot measure, passed adult-use during the 2020 election.

“Even in South Dakota, one of the most conservative states in America, a majority voted to legalize adult recreational use of marijuana,” said Schumer. “If South Dakota can do it. The Senate should be able to do it.”

Primary Sponsor

 


Karma Koala Podcast

Top Marijuana Blog