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Friday, Mar 29, 2024
Mugglehead Magazine
Alternative investment news based in Vancouver, B.C.

Legalization

Republican bill seeks to federally legalize and tax cannabis

The States Reform Act ties in elements from Democrat and Republican fillings on cannabis reform

Image via US Capitol Flickr

Republican lawmakers are proposing to legalize and tax cannabis on a federal level by combining ideas from across party lines.

On Monday afternoon, the States Reform Act — sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace along with five cosponsors — was presented to federally deschedule cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, which would decriminalize weed and remove barriers to research.

During a press conference, Mace called it a “compromise bill” that ties in elements from Republican and Democrat filings.

“This legislation, I believe, has something good for everyone,” she said.

Republican bill seeks to federally legalize and tax cannabis

Rep. Nancy Mace presented the States Reform Act, calling it a ‘compromise bill.’ Image via YouTube

If passed, cannabis would be regulated by federal agencies, similar to alcohol, with a 3-per-cent excise tax and restrictions on advertising. The bill would ensure that state cannabis programs are protected under federal law.

Similar to some state weed legislation, the States Reform Act would expunge non-violent cannabis charges.

Small businesses would be protected and local businesses would be promoted under the proposal, and Mace says that if the bill were to pass, there wouldn’t be a need for the SAFE Banking Act.

Read more: SAFE Banking Act inclusion in defence bill improves odds of passing Senate, lawyer says

Mace said her initial goal was to get as much Republican support for the bill as possible, and that she’s heard great things from both sides of the aisle.

Republican bill shows ‘race to the top’ for cannabis reform

Advocacy organization Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) tells Mugglehead it believes that the Republican-led bill will increase the chances of ending the federal cannabis prohibition.

“It clearly shows Republicans are engaged and looking for regulatory solutions,” continues an email from MPP.

There are only three states in the U.S. without any cannabis reform: Idaho, Nebraska and Kansas.

Democratic-led efforts to end cannabis prohibition at a federal level haven’t succeeded yet, but now there are cannabis bills from both parties in Congress.

The MORE Act has been advanced by a House judiciary committee and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to formally introduce a Senate-led legalization bill after presenting a draft in July.

Read more: US Senators present draft bill to federally decriminalize cannabis

Read more: MORE Act approved by US House committee, again

“This competition of ideas will only add to the momentum we’ve seen recently for finally seeing this type of reform enshrined into law,” said Erik Altieri, executive director for advocacy organization NORML, in an email to Mugglehead.

Mace’s proposal is comprehensive and sensible legislation to repeal cannabis criminalization, and the effort deserves serious consideration, according to Justin Strekal, political director at NORML.

“Between the previously passed MORE Act, the recent Senate proposal by Leader Schumer, and this new bill, it is truly a race to the top for the best ideas and smartest approaches to responsible reform.”

While the Democrats hold a majority in the House, Senate and White House, it’s not by much and doesn’t ensure bills will pass.

The majority of Americans support legalization, national polling has found, with recent data showing 54 per cent of Republicans are in favour of national legalization.

 

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