Congressional memo praises the dynamism of cannabis and emphasizes reform priorities in 2022

By Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

US MPs Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) published a memo on behalf of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, which they jointly lead. The memo lists the numerous marijuana pieces of legislation that have been tabled on Capitol Hill and explains which ones should be among the reform priorities for 2022, reports Marijuana Moment.

Blumenauer said, “The table is set and the time is right for a major cannabis reform that will make a big difference for people across the country. We have seen this issue grow more prominent than ever among the American people – nearly 70 percent of them, including the majority of Republicans, want federal reform. “

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Although laws to protect banks serving state-owned cannabis companies were passed for the fifth time in 2021 and a bipartisan measure was put in place to incentivize the deletion of previous marijuana records, none of these laws were passed.

Priorities for 2022

State termination of marijuana remains a top priority. “We are nearing the passage of the MORE Act that would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act,” lawmakers wrote. The memo also states that it is “imperative that the Biden government use the powers available to the executive branch to pardon and commute sentences for those involved in cannabis offenses”.

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Additionally, the memo highlights the opportunity to “dramatically increase the scope and quality of our cannabis research,” inform federal regulations, and “help us understand the full breadth of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, especially for our veterans and those who living with chronic diseases ”. Diseases like epilepsy. “

Finally, the document stressed that Justice Department non-interference – at least until the marijuana banking reform passes the Senate – is vital.

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“It is important that the federal government does not waste resources through legal intervention by the state. That means that the Justice Department’s diversion must not interfere with state law business until we secure the SAFE Banking Act through the US Senate, ”concluded the memo.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.