Will Schumer’s marijuana legalization bill be passed before the end of 2021?

Well it finally happened. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his potty buddies last month unveiled their long-awaited Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which aims to repair the damage caused by the drug war while maintaining a capitalist environment create that enables the herb to join the range of alcohol and tobacco. It’s a law that proponents are divided. Big surprise, right?

Some are obviously all in favor as it beats the ban. Others, however, are less impressed with the details and want a thorough overhaul of the measure before it reaches the president’s desk, the proverbial end of the line. But not so fast, loner. Does Schumer’s bill have what it takes to go the distance in 2021?

Photo by Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

According to Senator Schumer himself, probably not. Although the Democrats have a majority in both the House and Senate, margins are slim, hostility is high, and division is high. And then there is the filibuster – an old Senate rule that calls for a super majority on controversial issues. That means that Schumer needs at least 60 votes in the House of Lords to pass his bill, which he doesn’t have for all of the reasons mentioned above.

At least not now.

“We don’t currently have the necessary votes,” says Schumer said during a current press conference. “But we have a large majority in our group in favor of it. We’re going to show the others and say, ‘Well what don’t you like? What do you like? And we’ll see if we get the support. ‘ We’ll put our muscles behind it, all our efforts behind it, and we’ll do it as soon as possible. “

Photo by Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images

The lack of votes is precisely why the cannabis law was not officially introduced but was opened for discussion and public comment until early September. Then Schumer will probably use all the inputs he has gathered, revise the bill and officially introduce cannabis legislation that is more palatable to America. And we say good luck to him! Seriously. We hope it works.

But often, as the saying goes, “too many cooks spoil the broth”. If Schumer’s big idea is to negotiate with the people, his colleagues, and everyone else about how the nation should legalize weed in a way that is best for the country, he’ll end up with a mud bread. As we’ve learned since marijuana legalization began in the US, everyone wants something different and nobody is ever happy.

RELATED: Chuck Schumer’s Long-awaited Federal Marijuana Legalization Bill Revealed: Will Entire Senate Accept It?

However, Schumer’s hope is that he can reach some sort of consensus and take this legislation to the finish line.

“We now go to our colleagues and say: ‘Would you sign the bill? And if you do not like what is on the invoice and you want some changes, tell us ”,“ Schumer said last month while performing on ABC’s The View. “I want to do this. And I think we’ll make it because it’s so, so overwhelmingly supported by the Americans. “

The only sure thing preventing the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, or a tweaked version of it, from going the distance in 2021 is bipartisanism, or the lack thereof. Congress took a stand on a wide variety of issues throughout the year. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, despite his demotion, still has more influence and power than Schumer. Whether the bill is fair is entirely up to him.

RELATED: Schumer Learns He Doesn’t Have What It takes to legalize marijuana

And that probably won’t happen.

McConnell has not indicated that he has changed his anti-pot position in the past six months, nor is he too excited to do anything to advance the Democratic agenda. On the flip side, however, he recently surprised the Democrats by helping them land a $ 1 trillion infrastructure deal.

Does that mean there is hope?

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At the risk of sounding pessimistic, probably not much. Even if Schumer’s marijuana legalization bill miraculously passed both houses of Congress and landed on President Biden’s desk for signature, the chances of getting it signed are slim. Biden said during his campaign that he would support decriminalization, but full legalization is not the way to go. Last month, White House press secretary Jen Psaki clarified that the president has not moved. “I’ve spoken about the president’s views on marijuana in the past.” Psaki said. “Nothing has changed. Today there are no new legislations to report.”

In any case, we just have to wait until after September to see the results of the months of public discussion. Unfortunately, if the Democrats get a comprehensive cannabis legalization policy on the books before the end of the year, the bill could be severely watered down and ultimately fail.