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3 Senate Democrats Plan Ending Federal Weed Ban and Drug War Harm

Three Senate Democrats have drafted a plan to end the federal ban on marijuana while reversing the harm done by the war on drugs by implementing a series of programs and ending DEA jurisdiction over weed.

3 Senate Democrats announce plan to bring an end to federal marijuana ban

Numerous polls have recently shown that the majority of Americans favor marijuana legalization. In April, a Pew Research poll found that 60% of Americans believe marijuana should be legalized for recreational and medical use.

On Wednesday, the top three Democrats in the Senate have drafted a plan to end the long-enduring federal ban on marijuana. Among the sweeping changes are giving states control while implementing a series of programs to help communities harmed by the war on drugs, particularly those of color, which they say have been disproportionately affected.

The plan was drafted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Corey Booker (D-NJ), CBS reported.

“Cannabis prohibition, a key pillar of the failed War on Drugs, has caused substantial harm to our communities and small businesses, and especially for communities of color,” Wyden said. “It’s as simple as this: Senators Booker, Schumer, and I want to bring common sense to the federal government, end prohibition and restore the lives of those hurt most and set them up for the opportunity.”

Marijuana will be removed from DEA oversight and relegated to the states and other federal agencies

The Democrat’s plan would remove many of the current federal controls on marijuana. The plan will substantially change the federal government’s involvement in marijuana 

One of the first moves will be to give states control over marijuana laws, allowing states to write their cannabis laws.

Secondly, cannabis will be removed from the federal list of controlled substances.

Thirdly, regulatory jurisdiction of marijuana will be shifted away from the Drug Enforcement Agency and given over to three other agencies: the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Where is marijuana currently legal?

Recreational use of marijuana is currently legal in 18 states, the District of Columbia, Guam’s US territories, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Medical use of marijuana is legal in 37 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands.