Received this e-mail today from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s (D. MA) re-election campaign:
Right now, we’ve got a rare opportunity to get something done in Congress – and do a world of good for a lot of people.
We can end the federal prohibition on marijuana, allowing states to set their own policies on legalization, decriminalization, and medical marijuana.
This could really happen.
I just introduced a bipartisan bill, the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act, with Colorado Republican Senator Cory Gardner to safeguard the ability of states, territories, and tribes to decide how to enforce their own marijuana laws.
Members of Congress from both parties are lining up to support this bill because we can all come together on protecting states’ rights. But Congress will only get this done if they hear your voice and see that the momentum is on our side.
Sign our petition to become a citizen cosponsor of the STATES Act and allow states to make their own decisions on legalizing marijuana.
Our bipartisan bill would protect the nine states (including Massachusetts) that have already passed laws to allow adults to recreationally use marijuana.
It would also protect the dozens of states that allow for its medical use. And it would protect the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and a number of tribes that have also taken steps to set their own marijuana policies.
Now, let me be clear: This bill is only the beginning. We need to do a whole lot more to make sure we have sensible marijuana laws nationwide. Just look at the racial disparities – African Americans and white people use marijuana around the same amount, but African Americans are nearly four times more likely to get arrested for possession.
Our current policies are unjust, and they don’t make sense, so I’ll keep fighting for reform.
In the Senate, I’ve also called for the rescheduling of marijuana so that it is no longer a Schedule 1 drug – the same class as deadly drugs like heroin. A big reason that I support rescheduling is that it will allow more serious medical research on the potential benefits of marijuana – research that is largely blocked by outdated federal laws and policies.
I'm a cosponsor of Senator Booker's Marijuana Justice Act, which would not only end federal prohibition on marijuana and allow states to decide their own marijuana policies, but would also take important steps to give individuals convicted of low-level marijuana possession crimes an opportunity to have their records cleared.
I’ve also pushed for clearer federal guidance to let legal marijuana businesses use banks and credit unions. Right now, legitimate marijuana businesses get shut out of setting up checking accounts or accepting credit cards and checks. Often, they’re forced to pay their bills, their employees, and their taxes in cash. In some cases, vendors who do work for them, including plumbers and lawyers, get locked out of the banking system, too.
Having to be cash-only – in 2018! – isn’t just a nuisance. It’s also a plain-old safety issue, practically inviting robbers to run into their stores with masks and guns.
There’s a ton of work we need to do to reform our marijuana laws. But protecting states’ ability to make their own choices is the very least we can do – and it’s something both Republicans and Democrats should be able to support.
We need reform on so many fronts, and with your support, we can make real progress. Right now – this week, this day, this minute – we need to make sure we launch the STATES Act with enough momentum – right out of the gate – to build more support for more changes to our country’s marijuana laws.
We’ve already heard assurances from President Trump that he’d support exactly this type of solution that respects states’ rights. We could really get this done. But only if you and thousands of other grassroots activists join the fight.
Tell Congress to pass the STATES Act, and help make sure that states, territories, and tribes can set their own policies on legalizing and decriminalizing pot.
Thanks for being a part of this,
Elizabeth