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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBernie Sanders Backs Bill To Punish States With Bad Marijuana Laws
APR 19, 2018 @ 08:47 AM
On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is signing on as a cosponsor of the Marijuana Justice Act, introduced last year by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
The Marijuana Justice Act, if passed, would not only remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act so that states could legalize without federal interference, but would also withhold funding from states that maintain criminalization and continue racially disproportionate arrest and incarceration rates for cannabis.
The legislation would also direct federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions and would allow people punished under disproportionately enforced cannabis laws to file civil lawsuits against those states.
During his run for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, Sanders became the first major contender to endorse legalization. He also filed legislation in the 114th Congress that would have simply removed cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.
Earlier this year, he launched an online petition calling on the federal government to "end its failed war on drugs."
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/04/19/bernie-sanders-backs-bill-to-punish-states-with-bad-marijuana-laws/#2df67a7629d0
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)By the way... the Marijuana Justice Act was introduced LAST year by Sen. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ).
It's good to see the DEMOCRAT Cory Booker taking the lead on this. I wonder why it took Sanders so long to decide he wanted to sign-on.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Qutzupalotl
(14,317 posts)He also filed legislation in the 114th Congress that would have simply removed cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.
Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)You write: "I wonder why it took Sanders so long to decide he wanted to sign-on."
There are 47 Dems-with-a-D-after-their-names in the Democratic caucus. Of those, the official record at https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1689/cosponsors shows that Booker is the sponsor, with Wyden and Gillibrand as cosponsors along with Bernie.
By my math, that leaves 44 Dems-with-a-D-after-their-names who have not signed on.
I wonder what's taking them so long -- even longer than Bernie, in fact. The people (disproportionately black) who are in prison on pot charges might even value action over party identification.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Well, try not to fret too much over that. I promise that if any of them start to receive the same type of disproportionate praise (in spite of their tardiness and unwillingness to ACTUALLY take the lead) I'll criticize that as well.
GeorgeGist
(25,321 posts)Bad Marijuana.
Brogrizzly
(145 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Setting the stage to get things done when we regain control. Good to see Sanders supporting his legislation.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Cory Booker is a DEMOCRAT that I trust and admire. I like his demeanor. I could easily see him as our party's presidential nominee someday.
PS: He looks good in a suit and he has an adorable smile, too!
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)"PS: He looks good in a suit and he has an adorable smile, too!"
Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)what a team.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)I saw him on Rehab Addict...where he was working to revitalize Newark when he was mayor. He was passionate, adorable and a fierce advocate for the people. Ad yes he does look great in a suit.
pandr32
(11,588 posts)Cory Booker shouldn't be written off the header.
progressoid
(49,991 posts)Response to Donkees (Original post)
Post removed
Chakaconcarne
(2,453 posts)mac56
(17,569 posts)askyagerz
(776 posts)There sure would be a lot of single votes out there.
Donkees
(31,417 posts)BoneyardDem
(1,202 posts)Autumn
(45,106 posts)in the Senate on 11/04/2015.
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to remove marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols from the list of Schedule I (high abuse potential, no accepted medical use, and severe safety concerns) controlled substances. However, the bill prohibits shipping or transporting marijuana interstate or from any foreign country into a U.S. jurisdiction in which its possession, use, or sale is prohibited.
Additionally, the bill amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate marijuana as a controlled substance under such Act.
Exotica
(1,461 posts)pro or anti
He is just too divisive to even care about at a direct personal level. He has some (not all) good ideas, but he is a horrid messenger. So many of his subalterns seem like pure disruptors and haters. I do NOT do cults of personality, no matter who it is, not even Obama and Hillary, let alone Bernie.
If Bernie helps to put Trump and the horrific Rethuglican Congress to the electoral and legislative sword, then all the best I wish. If not, he can sod off. Same thing I would say for and to anyone who is a serious candidate for our party (is Bernie even for us? not sure given his constant attacks).
I support Democrats, as the alternative is death and hate from most levels.
JCanete
(5,272 posts)a divisive action, and I applaud Booker for crafting legislation that is probably not the favorite of the pharmaceutical industry. This is one of those threads where we could...almost but not quite... have avoided that divisiveness so plaguing us apparently.
Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)Medicaid and president Asshhole couldn't punish California over sanctuary cities...don't understand why this is even presented as it goes nowhere.
Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)When Congress wanted a national speed limit of 55 mph, the enforcement mechanism was that states refusing to impose such a limit would lose some or all of their federal highway funding. I think that was challenged in court and I think the states lost, but I'm not sure. When the issue is federal funding that aids law enforcement, withholding the funding from states that are (in Congress's view) misusing their law enforcement money doesn't seem wholly out of line.
The compulsory Medicaid expansion in the ACA required the states to spend some of their own money, which is why it was held unconstitutional on federalism grounds.
Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)I don't see the point. Although I am all for legalization.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Every state's drinking age is 21. Many used to be 18. Do you remember how that happened?
Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)able to do this...they didn't fund road projects...not the same as fining or other punitive actions...this won't work and is a waste of time. I am all for legalizing weed.
Abu Pepe
(637 posts)How about a clean rescheduling bill first ?
Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)Abu Pepe
(637 posts)If its something a super majority of Dems support and that a substantial minority of Repubs do as well. Trump might even sign it just to fuck with Jeff Sessions. If you start telling states what to do on the other direction you lose all the GOP and a more than a few Dems.
Next year will be the time to tackle at racial disparities. When we have the votes.
Demsrule86
(68,586 posts)Congress is broken.