New Bill Would Legalize Marijuana Nationwide
I still have trouble believing that this is still such a major issue. In '96 California was the first to legalize medical marijuana and 30 other states have done the same. Ten states and Washington D.C. have legalized it almost entirely, making it so adults 21 and older can enjoy their cannabis freely. Yet, federally, it's still illegal, classified with heroin and meth as a schedule 1 drug. Crazy!
A group of Democrats have introduced a bill, Marijuana Justice Act of 2019. This bill would finally remove pot from the federal list of controlled substances. This would lift a range of obstacles from vendors and purveyors nationwide.
This bill would also expunge the records of anyone convicted of possession and letting the currently incarcerated petition for re-sentencing.
Supporters of the bill make a valid claim that cannabis laws have had a disproportionate impact on historically oppressed nationalities and communities across the country, leading to mostly nonviolent users to be jailed.
A recent poll by Pew Research Center found that 62% of people in the U.S. including 74% of millennials favor ending prohibition on pot.
Keep your fingers and eyes crossed that this finally happens. It's been a long time coming.
(source, Science Times)