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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocratic divide puts congressional action on marijuana in doubt
A split on Capitol Hill over marijuana policy has lawmakers confronting the possibility that they could again fail to pass any meaningful changes to the federal prohibition of cannabis this Congress, even as polls show vast majorities of Americans support at least partial legalization of the drug.
The clash, on one level, follows familiar contours for Washington policymaking: A narrower measure with significant bipartisan support one that would make it easier for banks to do business with legitimate cannabis firms in states where marijuana is legal is in limbo while a smaller group of lawmakers pushes for a much broader bill.
But it has also become infused with questions of racial equity and political competence that have pitted key Democrats against each other as they seek a way to roll back federal marijuana laws that have gone largely unchanged since the height of the War on Drugs in the 1980s and 1990s.
The conflict has come to a head in recent weeks after a push by Democratic and Republican lawmakers to attach the narrower banking legislation to the must-pass annual defense policy bill, which would ensure its passage in the coming months. The bills advocates say it would offer a substantial step toward legitimizing and rationalizing the cannabis industry in the 47 states that have moved to at least partially legalize marijuana allowing businesses to move away from risky cash-only operations.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/marijuana-democrats-legalize/2021/11/17/61dd37b4-47b3-11ec-95dc-5f2a96e00fa3_story.html
LonePirate
(13,417 posts)Last edited Thu Nov 18, 2021, 11:09 AM - Edit history (1)
Marijuana legalization is massively supported by the party's base, in states where it is legal and is enormously popular with young and low propensity voters. The banking piece is an absolute no brainer given state legalization laws.
We are incompetent if we cannot pass this. Put Republicans on record as opposing this in order to send a message to voters, if nothing else.
It makes me wonder if a younger congressional leadership team would have a better handle of this issue with regard to what the public and the party's base wants/expects.
luv2fly
(2,475 posts)bigtree
(85,986 posts)...this article mentions one Democrat who wants a different version of reform.
This is WaPo shitstirring.
Bettie
(16,089 posts)banks! It isn't that hard.
DVRacer
(707 posts)Oklahoma has more dispensarys per capita than an other state. Bright red Oklahoma!!! Nobody cares anymore than they do about liquor stores.
MagickMuffin
(15,936 posts)Quit sitting on the POT and puff puff PASS this bill.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Just get it done, then move on to voting rights and insurrection prevention.
MichMan
(11,910 posts)Response to Zorro (Original post)
MichMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
Elessar Zappa
(13,964 posts)would really help Democrats politically if it passed.