All conversations are moot until February but the signs already tell us that forward movemnet will be an incremetal as ever in the US.
NORML
South Dakota Senator John Thune, who will lead the Senate in 119th Congress, has long argued against efforts to reform marijuana policy at both the state and federal level.
Senator Thune is among the 26 GOP members who earlier this year called upon US Attorney General Merrick Garland to reject a recommendation from federal health officials to reclassify marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act.
“It is irresponsible for HHS to make this determination when emerging research shows that there are significant health concerns associated with marijuana use,” Thune and colleagues opined. “It remains the case that marijuana has no currently accepted medical use. … We urge you to withdraw this proposal and maintain marijuana as a Schedule I drug.”
The Senator has previously opposed efforts to amend federal banking legislation so that financial institutions can provide services to state-licensed marijuana businesses, and he has called the adoption of state-specific legalization policies “a dangerous path.” He received an “F” grade from NORML in its 2024 voter guide.
Senator Thune will replace outgoing Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Prior to becoming Majority Leader, Schumer pledged to “do everything I can” to bring marijuana reform legislation to a Senate floor vote. During his four years as Speaker, he twice sponsored legislation to repeal federal cannabis prohibition. However, the Senate has not yet held floor votes on any specific marijuana policy reforms, including SAFER Banking.
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Incoming Senate Majority Leader Has Long History of Opposing Marijuana Policy Reforms
