Senate Democrats split over legalizing weed
Several are opposed to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's legalization push
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Two Democrats told Politico that they oppose removing federal penalties on marijuana. Schumer can't afford to lose a single vote on his side of the aisle in his legalization push, and that's before an even tougher battle to win over Republicans who have little interest in working with Democrats. If Schumer can't find a path to Senate passage this year, with a midterm election that's historically not been kind to the president's party, it could mean a long delay before pot is legal in the U.S. — even as 18 states have embraced full legalization. (See also: Schumer worries Senate marijuana banking vote could undermine broader legalization push)