After dealing with some backlash over how long it is taking for the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act to be officially revealed, Senator Schumer took some time to discuss the delays with marijuana activists in a meeting last week.
However, the most pressing question, when the bill would actually be filed, remains unclear. “Soon,” Schumer answers.
Drug Policy Alliance, Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition, Women Grow, and NORML were among the groups to participate in the zoom meeting with the Senator.
In the discussion, Schumer stated that it has taken this long because they want to take their time to really get the equity portion of the bill right before it goes on to the committees in the Senate.
He was also asked about the SAFE bank bill, which has bipartisan support but is blocked so that his more comprehensive CAOA bill has room to be enacted. Many are frustrated with the lack of movement on something so universally agreed upon. Schumer stated that he is open the bill, as long as some small social equity policies were also attached, which would make it a non-starter with most Republicans.
Consensus around the meeting seems to be that most advocates are satisfied with Schumer’s insistence on real social equity. However, it may be that Schumer and Senator Booker have missed their window, with a new Republican bill that would legalize marijuana getting more and more press within the void of a consensus Democrat bill. It will take some work to regain the momentum when this bill is finally filed in Congress, whenever that may be.
We appreciate @SenSchumer‘s commitment to marijuana justice & him ensuring social equity & restitution for our communities are what drive federal marijuana reform.
Marijuana is still one of the top arrests in the US, causing harm every day. Let’s change that in 2022! https://t.co/IO2hJH712t
— Drug Policy Alliance (@DrugPolicyOrg) January 28, 2022
Read the original article at Marijuana Moment.
