It’s no surprise that a Democratic senator from a state that has already legalized recreational cannabis would support Booker’s bill, but Wyden’s support has brought this piece of legislation one step closer to law.
A bill can have several co-sponsors who either wrote the bill or have added their names as an expression of support to help it become law. In Wyden’s case, he is a widely respected and ranking Democrat in the Senate who is known for his ability to smooth over differences between party lines.On December 18, Wyden joined Booker to announce his support on Facebook Live. He spoke of the importance of the bill at a time when many states are considering legalization while the federal government continues to promote its anti-drug message of the 80s.According to Booker’s original release the Marijuana Justice Act aims to:
Removecannabis from the list of controlled substances, making it legal at the federal level
  • Incentivize states through federal funds to change their cannabis laws if cannabis in the state is illegal and the state disproportionately arrests or incarcerates low-income individuals and people of color for cannabis-related offenses
  • Automatically expunge federal cannabis use and possession crimes
  • Allow an individual currently serving time in federal prison for cannabis use or possession crimes to petition a court for a resentencing
  • Create a fund to reinvest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs and allow those funds to be invested in programs such as job training, reentry services and health education programs, among others.“We’ve got to get out of the war on drugs which is really a war on people,” said Booker. “A war on poor people, a war on minorities, a war on the mentally ill and stop creating an environment where we’re punishing good Americans.”
    • Do you think this would be something good for the US? Let us know in the comments below.