What Cannabis Businesses Need to Know About Sen. Booker’s Marijuana Legislation
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker made national headlines when he recently introduced legislation to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level. Unlike prior efforts to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the proposed bill also encourages states to pursue full legalization.
“This is the single most far-reaching marijuana bill that’s ever been filed in either chamber of Congress,” Tom Angell, head of the pro-legalization Marijuana Majority, said in a statement. “More than just getting the federal government out of the way so that states can legalize without DEA harassment, this new proposal goes even further by actually punishing states that have bad marijuana laws.”
Removing Cannabis from Controlled Substances Act
As discussed in prior articles, marijuana remains a Class I substance under the CSA. The classification is reserved for drugs with “high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and no accepted safety for use in medically supervised treatment.” Other Class I drugs include Heroin, LSD, and cocaine. Notably, nicotine and alcohol are not included on the list at all.
The Marijuana Justice Act would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances and, thereby, make it legal on the federal level. Removing marijuana from Schedule I would allow banks and other financial institutions to more freely service marijuana-related businesses. It would also allow marijuana businesses to take tax deductions similar to those enjoyed in other industries. The change would also provide greater clarity to employers and workers who struggle to determine how to address positive drug tests for marijuana.
Encouraging State-Level Marijuana Legalization
Sen. Booker’s bill is unique in that it incentivizes states to change their marijuana laws. States could lose federal criminal justice funds if marijuana in the state is illegal and the state disproportionately arrests or incarcerates low-income individuals and people of color for marijuana-related offenses.
The provision reflects the fact that people of color are disproportionately arrested for marijuana-related crimes even though their use rates are similar to those of white Americans. In 2015, the Sentencing Project estimated that black Americans are 3.7 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession as their white counterparts, despite being only 1.3 times as likely to use pot.
Accordingly, the Marijuana Justice Act would automatically expunge federal marijuana use and possession crimes. It would also allow an individual currently serving time in federal prison for marijuana use or possession crimes to petition a court for a resentencing;
“Our country’s drug laws are badly broken and need to be fixed,” Senator Booker said in a press statement. “They don’t make our communities any safer – instead they divert critical resources from fighting violent crimes, tear families apart, unfairly impact low-income communities and communities of color, and waste billions of taxpayer dollars each year.
The Marijuana Justice Act is a longshot in the Republican-held Congress. It is also unlikely to garner the support of President Donald Trump, who has encouraged Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reignite the so-called “War on Drugs.” Nonetheless, the fact that the ambitious marijuana legislation was even proposed highlights that public and political support for full legalization is growing, which is good news for the cannabis industry.
This article is a part of a series pertaining to cannabis legalization in New Jersey and the United States at large. Prior articles in this series are below:
If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact me, Dan McKillop, at 201-806-3364.
Disclaimer: Possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of cannabis is a Federal crime and is subject to related Federal policy. Legal advice provided by Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is designed to counsel clients regarding the validity, scope, meaning, and application of existing and/or proposed cannabis law. Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC will not provide assistance in circumventing Federal or state cannabis law or policy, and advice provided by our office should not be construed as such.
Rule 26 Expert Discovery: When an Expert Witness Uses AI, Is It Discoverable?
Case law following the 2010 amendments to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 offers guidance on how courts are likely to address whether an expert witness’s AI records are subject to discovery. Key Takeaways Rule 26 Expert Discovery After the 2010 Amendments This article addresses the question courts and lawyers have faced in recent cases: […]
“Show how 3M is 0% at fault.” The absurd tale of how a 350-page ChatGPT history for 3M’s expert witness was produced during a deposition is more likely than you think. It’s an inevitable trend, and an unsettled question for federal courts as experts make generative AI part of their workflow. Key Takeaways Expert Witness […]
The Screenshot Problem: Why Nothing Is Really Private Anymore
Screenshots have changed the risks of electronic communications. The screenshot problem is that messages intended for one person or a small group can be copied, forwarded, preserved, and ultimately presented to opposing counsel, regulators, journalists, customers, or a jury. Businesses should recognize that a truly private digital conversation is increasingly unreliable and ensure their policies, […]
BESS Project Agreements: Allocating Risk Among Developers, EPC Contractors, and Equipment Suppliers
Developers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors, and equipment suppliers each play a critical role in completing a BESS project. However, when equipment costs rise, deliveries are delayed, or regulations change, determining who bears the financial consequences can become contentious. Well-drafted project agreements are essential to sound risk allocation. Key Takeaways This article is Part […]
IP Infringement: What Steps Can You Take If You're Affected?
IP infringement occurs when someone uses your intellectual property without your permission or beyond the scope of the permission you granted. Common examples of IP infringement include copying a product’s patented features or using a trademarked logo in a way that is likely to confuse consumers about the source or affiliation of goods or services. […]
Public Allegations, Unfinished Investigation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Do Next
When facing public allegations of wrongdoing, companies should not let the speed of the public conversation dictate the speed of an investigation. An investigation designed to confirm a preferred narrative rather than establish the facts can create serious problems later, particularly if litigation, regulatory scrutiny, or employment claims follow. Key Takeaways When public allegations surface […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal
circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
