Schumer to introduce bill to decriminalize marijuana

[riversedge]

Source: Politico


“If smoking marijuana doesn’t hurt anybody else, why shouldn’t we allow people to do it and not make it criminal?” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo


By CRISTIANO LIMA

04/19/2018 04:49 PM EDT


Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Thursday that he would introduce legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, marking a significant shift in policy for the Democratic leader and lending the movement to lower government barriers to the drug a powerful ally.

The top congressional Democrat told VICE News in an interview set to air on Thursday night that legislation to increase access to marijuana was “long overdue” and that far “too many people” had been affected by the government’s crackdown on the drug.

“I’ll be introducing legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level from one end of the country to the other,” Schumer said, according to a clip of the interview released by the outlet.

He added: “I've seen too many people’s lives ruined because they had small amounts of marijuana and served time in jail, much too long. Ultimately, it’s the right thing to do. Freedom.”

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Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/04/19/chuck-schumer-decriminalize-marijuana-537828

---

Well, this is great news. I know, I am not getting excited. But it is a crumb.

Link to tweet

Replying to @politico

YES...for the first time in my life...I NEED marijuana...
0 replies 1 retweet 2 likes

Stephen Wilson
‏ @stephevet101
26m26 minutes ago

Replying to @politico

If Chuck can make this happen, then the VA can prescribe (from their formulary) for veterans with PTSD . . . Go get'm Chuck!
0 replies 0 retweets 1 like

will6750647
‏ @will6750647
27m27 minutes ago

Replying to @politico

You the man Chuck!
0 replies 1 retweet 1 like

[BigmanPigman]

1. Tomorrow is 4/20 too!

Too bad it couldn't get passed on that date!

[greymattermom]

2. It's a major crop in

Kentucky. Hmm, Mitch. Suppor your state's economy?
https://www.drugscience.org/Archive/bcr2/domstprod.html

[Kittycow]

3. Decriminalization by the Feds would mean to me

that I could try medical marijuana for my severe chronic pain without going against my pain contract and getting booted out of the clinic.

I hope that I live long enough to see this happen!

[Aristus]

4. Shareholders in the private prison industry are going to go berserk

and flood DC with cash to get it voted down.

[pamdb]

5. legalizing pot

Go get 'em Chuck. I don't think anything will happen, not with Jefferson Beauguard and the big orange idiot, but it's a nice idea. Here in Michigan, where we have medical marijuana, they are going out of their way to not allow and dispensaries to remain open. One of the people on the group deciding this is a retired cop. Go figure. And one of the candidates for governor, Bill Schuette, has gone out of his way ever since medical marijuana passed, to make it harder and harder to open a dispensary. And of course there is the DeVos money in the background and they are very against pot. Personally, I think it would do ole Bets good to have a hit once in awhile.

[mpcamb]

17. The CDC needs to reschedual it. It's not a Schedual I drug in anyone's imagination.

Legalization may not happen for a while but this would take the air out of most arguements against jail and other attached current penalities.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Dude, look at Chuck in that picture!

He is sooooooooooooooo baked, man!!

[Cirque du So-What]

7. Did you ever look at your hand, man?

I mean reeeally look at it?

[Chemisse]

10. Hahahah! n/t

[IronLionZion]

8. America's largest cash crop

support the American economy and rural farmers!

It's been a profound revenue source for the states that have legalized it.

[barbtries]

9. i hope it gets to a vote.

in your face Sessions you motherfucker.

[Initech]

11. Oh man there will be people doing bong loads in the streets when that gets passed!

[riversedge]

12. With Schumer on board--Dem Party priority is to end Federal Prohibition of marijuana........

Times are achanging!!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/04/19/top-senate-democrat-pushes-bill-to-end-marijuana-prohibition/#4909c4886051

....That bill, the Marijuana Justice Act, would not only exempt cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, but would also withhold funding from states that have racially disparate marijuana enforcement rates.

“With this announcement, Senator Schumer has effectively made it clear that a legislative priority for the Democratic Party is to end the federal prohibition of marijuana," Justin Strekal, political director of NORML, said. "As Democratic Leader, it is his role to ensure that the caucus as a whole falls in line with this public policy position -- a position that is held by more than 60 percent of Americans."

Schumer's bill would also "create some funding for minority and women-owned marijuana businesses, provide money for research into overall effects of marijuana and its specific effect on driving impairment," VICE News reported.

In 2004, Schumer was recognized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America as a "Guardian of a Drug-Free America" for his work on drug enforcement legislation. In 2011 he sought to crack down on Bitcoin, seeing it as facilitating illegal drug transactions on the Internet.

Schumer first showed signs he was shifting away from his support for outright cannabis prohibition in 2014, when he said during an MSNBC interview that he supported letting states enact their own marijuana laws without federal interference............................

[duforsure]

15. Good post

Looks like the Dems are committing to change now for legalization, and to stop the abusive legal system used to garner profits for private prisons , and this will force many in the GOP to shift or get off the pot.

[riversedge]

13. .@Shawna asked @SenSchumer to sign a bong ---and he does!!

Good man Chuck!


.@Shawna asked @SenSchumer to sign a bong ---and he does!!
VICE News
‏Verified account @vicenews
46m46 minutes ago

.@Shawna asked @SenSchumer to sign a bong #VICENewsTonight

Link to tweet

[mpcamb]

18. I sure as hell hope Schumer isn't going to vote for Pompeo for Secretary of State!

He's "not going to announce whether he will vote to confirm"??
Pompeo's a warmonger!
Say so and vote right!

[Tribalceltic]

14. Kicking this to show the person who really deserves the credit for this

as opposed a to coat tail riding Loser

Medical and Recreational Marijuana is so much more a pattern of Democratic votes being quashed!

[Lheurch]

16. Schumer believes in federalism now???

Shocking but good news!

[Honeycombe8]

19. I'm really likin' this! You think this will be as popular as it is for those of us on DU?

I think most people find pot to be no worse than alcohol, and it has a benefit for some in pain management and stress management. So I'd think this would be popular among liberals and moderates. ???

[riversedge]

20. I am hoping so 🌊🌊🌊 #FlipItBlue #BlueWave2018 #VoteThemOUT