Senate Democrats roll out long-awaited bill to legalize marijuana
The newly introduced bill faces tough opposition from many Republicans in the evenly split Senate, as well as resistance from some Democrats
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Senate Democrats unveiled long-awaited legislation to end the federal prohibition of marijuana, but opposition from Republicans and some Democrats is expected to pose a challenge to passing the measure. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced the bill, dubbed the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOC), in floor remarks. “I am proud to be the first Majority Leader ever to say that it is time to end the federal prohibition on cannabis, and this bill provides the best framework for updating our cannabis laws and reversing decades of harm inflicted by the war on drugs,” Schumer said. Schumer worked alongside Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to craft the legislation. (See also: Senate bill to federally legalize marijuana and promote social equity finally filed by Schumer, Booker and Wyden)
