Sen. Cory Booker is willing to pass marijuana banking first with that condition

Through Jelena Martinovic

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is “willing to compromise” when it comes to federal cannabis reform. He is even considering the possibility that his chamber could give the green light to a marijuana banking measure that would include social justice components before taking action on the Cannabis Administration And Opportunity Act (CAOA), the senator signaled in a recent NJ Spotlight News published interview.

In late July, Booker, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a long-awaited marijuana bill that would decriminalize and de-schedule cannabis at the federal level while promoting social justice.

US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) (C), along with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) (L) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) / Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Shortly thereafter, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, chaired by Booker, held a hearing entitled “Federal Decriminalization of Cannabis: Necessary Steps to Address Past Harms,” at which the Senator called for an end to the federal ban on marijuana. say that “the federal cannabis ban has failed.”

Despite criticism for accepting a more conservative approach to the federal marijuana reform issue, the senator remains firm on his position of being open to compromise.

“New Jersey sent me here to get things done — not to take a stand, where I make good arguments but don’t pass on bills,” Booker said. “I’m open to compromises that achieve my goals of safety, investment opportunities that are equal to business communities, and ultimately ensuring that we do something now for all of these people with marijuana possession charges that deserve some relief from the effects.” that it has on their economic and family well-being.”

RELATED: Sen. Cory Booker Says Cannabis Reform Is a Civil Rights Issue in New Op-Ed

Citing the nonpartisan Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which aims to protect financial institutions seeking to provide their services to federally legal marijuana businesses, Booker supports it. He called it a “very important” measure but believes it should include “some restorative justice as well.”

The SAFE Banking Act has passed the House of Representatives seven times. However, she still sits in the Senate under Republican and Democratic leadership.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.