A leading Democratic Congressman has revealed his plan to get legislation passed to end cannabis prohibition in case the Democrats take control of Congress after the midterm elections.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer echoed the sentiments of many around the country when he said that Congress was currently disconnected from the wishes of the different states and citizens around the country on the subject of cannabis.
He therefore sees the November polls as an opportunity for the Democrats to change that situation in case they get a majority in the House. Analysts believe that there is a big chance that the Democrats will regain their majority in Congress.
Congressman Blumenauer wrote a memo to the Democratic House leader outlining the different steps that should be followed in order to change the laws around marijuana. He wants his blueprint to pave the way for the Senate to feel the pressure and change its stance regarding marijuana.
The Senate is expected to remain under the control of the Republicans, and they have a history of blocking any legislation intended to end marijuana prohibition.
The Oregon Congressman wants the different Committees of the House to use the first six months after the polls to hold hearings at which the public and experts share their views on marijuana. He believes that every committee has power over some aspect of marijuana regulation.
For example, the House Judiciary Committee should work towards de-scheduling marijuana so that it is no longer a Schedule 1 substance at the federal level.
In the same vein, the House Financial Services Committee can also hold hearings on how the barriers stopping marijuana businesses from accessing banking services can be removed.
The Veterans Affairs Committee can also hold hearings on how equal and safe access to medical marijuana can be guaranteed for the nation’s veterans.
Congressman Blumenauer also gives a detailed plan outlining the different activities that should be completed within given timelines. For example, he hopes that by April, the different committees should start passing policies to narrow the gaps between state and federal marijuana policies.
His intention is that the end of 2019 should see a main bill ending federal marijuana prohibition being tabled for a vote by the entire House.
While this plan may sound like music to the ears of marijuana advocates, major hurdles still stand in its way. For starters, Senate isn’t likely to look favorably on any measures to legalize marijuana federally.
Secondly, Democratic Party House leaders aren’t hyped up about making marijuana decriminalization a priority for their first year in charge after the midterm polls. The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTCQX: TGODF) must be watching all these developments quietly from a distance waiting for prohibition to end so that they can enter the country in a big way.
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