Senator Cory Booker is leading the most recent charge to reform federal marijuana laws.
Although the Trump administration, especially Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is against marijuana reform, not everyone in the federal government wants to see a return to the failed War on Drugs.
Recently, Cory Booker proposed the Marijuana Justice Act with the intention of ending the federal prohibition of marijuana. “Descheduling marijuana and applying that change retroactively to people currently serving time for marijuana offenses is a necessary step in correcting this unjust system,” said Booker. “States have so far led the way in reforming our criminal justice system and it’s about time the federal government catches up and begins to assert leadership.”
“Descheduling marijuana and applying that change retroactively to people currently serving time for marijuana offenses is a necessary step in correcting this unjust system,” Booker said earlier this month. “States have so far led the way in reforming our criminal justice system and it’s about time the federal government catches up and begins to assert leadership.”
While Booker is not the first elected official looking to end marijuana prohibition, his proposal may have more support than previous efforts.
The Drug Policy Alliance, a group dedicated to reforming drug laws and harsh criminal sentencing is throwing their support behind Booker’s bill. They plan to meet with members of Congress to try and lobby for Booker’s bill.”Marijuana legislation would get communities of color and low-income communities in a better place,” Adesuyi said. “Legalization is not a cure but it definitely moves us in a better direction than we are now.”
“Marijuana legislation would get communities of color and low-income communities in a better place,” Queen Adesuyi an associate of Drug Policy Alliance said. “Legalization is not a cure but it definitely moves us in a better direction than we are now.”
As expected, not everyone is in support of Cory Booker’s efforts. Smart Approaches to Marijuana, an anti-marijuana advocacy group that includes former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, is pushing back against legalization.
“Senator Booker is much smarter than this,” said Kevin Sabet, president and chief executive of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. “We were very disappointed that he did not consult with us.
Although marijuana remains illegal on the federal level, many states have taken their own initiative when it comes to reform. Currently, 29 states have legalized medical marijuana while 8 states permit recreational use.
