If you don’t know about it, you’re not alone. Given what’s going on in the world at large, it didn’t exactly get top-billing in the “this just in” category.

And chances are, this legalization bill which would finally kick cannabis off the federal list of controlled substances, expunge federal cannabis records, and impose federal taxes on marijuana – the revenue of which would be invested in communities most impacted by the War on Drugs – will probably not pass.

We Don’t Mean to Be Pessimistic

But we’re realistic.

We’ve been in the cannabis marketing business since the industry was still in diapers. We’ve seen a lot. And we can only suspect that this recent federal legalization bill, while certainly a step in the right direction, will not pass.

The moniker of the new bill is the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Introduced by Senator Cory Booker, and co-sponsored by Schumer and Senator Ron Wyden, the bill differs from those in the past by putting the inequality in the current state-legal industry center stage.

In fact, the bill opens with the following:

“The communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition are benefitting the least from the legal marijuana marketplace. A legacy of racial and ethnic injustices, compounded by disproportionate collateral consequences of 80 years of cannabis prohibition enforcement, now limits participation in the industry.”

While all of this is true, there’s still so much opposition to legalization at the federal level that it seems insurmountable. Furthermore, at its introduction, the bill had no Republican co-sponsors and it’ll need at least a few to support it. Add to that that even the highest ranking Democrat, President Joe Biden, is barely in support of decriminalization – let alone legalization.

At the end of the day, there’s still some seriously old school thinking the bill is up against in D.C.

What Does the Recent Marijuana Bill Say?

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is proposing several major actions.

1. Provide Restorative Justice Programs

The new bill proposes the development of an Opportunity Trust Fund within the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs. It also sets out to create a Cannabis Opportunity Program within the Small Business Administration. This would enable cannabis companies run by equity eligible owners to attain Section 7(m) small business loans.

In addition, there’s the introduction of an Equitable Licensing Grant Program. Its purpose would be to fund state or municipal efforts to develop equitable cannabis licensing programs for those most adversely affected by the War on Drugs

The capital to create such programs would come from a newly imposed

federal cannabis tax. In addition to existing state and local taxes, there would be a federal tax of 10% for the first two years of legalization which would gradually rise to 25%.

2. Identify Those Who’ve Been Most Impacted by The War on Drugs

The bill will also clearly define the parameters for individuals most eligible for federal cannabis equity opportunities. There are two main criteria and individuals must meet at least one of them.

Any individual with an income below 250% of the federal poverty level for at least 5 of the past 10 years who has been also been arrested for the possession, use, cultivation, or manufacture of cannabis will qualify. In addition, the parent, sibling, spouse, or child of an individual arrested for the above would also qualify.

3. Descheduling Cannabis and Changes in Regulation

And finally, cannabis would at long last be struck from the federal schedule of controlled substances. The bill proposes the DEA be removed from the business of cannabis law enforcement and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as the the Department of Health and Human Services become the two regulating agencies.

The bill also serves to prevent federal officials from discriminating against those who use marijuana legally.

The Bill Is Not Perfect

But nothing ever is.

While policy reform advocates are generally excited about the bill, some have noted that it would continue to subject federal employees to cannabis drug testing. Furthermore, cannabis record expungement would not be extended to all who’ve been impacted.

A measure in the bill expunges federal cannabis records within one year of the bill’s passage. Those who received enhanced sentences for past cannabis crimes, however, would not be eligible. And many of those individuals have already paid the highest price for such an opportunity.

The Cannabis Industry Is Always Evolving

Regardless of whether the new marijuana bill passes, it does feel that we’re inching ever closer to federal legalization and more social equity.

At least, we hope so and will continue to fight the fight.

In the meantime, if you own a cannabis business and could benefit from marketing experts who know the industry inside and out, contact us today. We know how tough it is to stand out in this increasingly saturated industry. And we have the expertise to make it happen.

The post Will Recent Marijuana Bill Legalize on Federal Level? appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

And just a mere two months after the House overwhelmingly approved the SAFE Banking Act.

So maybe the wheels really are in motion. It’s definitely a good sign for advocates of cannabis reform.

The Early Reveal on Vote to Federally Legalize Marijuana

While speaking at a conference this past Saturday, a House Representative vaguely mentioned the upcoming committee consideration – though she gave no details.

Other sources provided those, although a Judiciary Committee spokesperson has not yet responded to inquiries about the pending vote.

A Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing in July that examined the connection between marijuana legalization and racial justice – a key talking point for many legalization advocates.

In fact, with all of the hullabaloo that followed the SAFE Banking Act, these  same advocates were concerned that it would overshadow the importance of providing restorations for communities torn apart by the war on drugs.

They even asked that the vote on financial issues be delayed.

But top Democrats pledged that they would follow up the bill with more comprehensive cannabis legislation.

Which brings us to the MORE Act.

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act

Advancing the MORE Act through committee and onto the House floor would make good on the pledge from those Democrats.

Sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the MORE Act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and declassify it as a Schedule 1 drug where it currently sits with heroin, cocaine, opiates, and the other thugs of the drug world.

But even more importantly, the legislation sets aside funding to begin repairing the damage of the war on drugs – a battle that has been disproportionately waged against communities of color.

It would provide funding for job training and legal aid for people impacted by prohibition enforcement, as well as provide loans for small cannabis businesses that are owned and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

The funding would also help to minimize barriers to licensing and employment in the legal industry and would be paid for with a new federal 5% tax on marijuana sales that would be instituted under the new legislation.

Finally, the MORE Act would also provide for re-sentencing and expungement of records for people previously convicted of cannabis offenses.

Furthermore, it would protect immigrants from being denied citizenship status over marijuana and prohibit federal agencies from denying public benefits or security clearances over marijuana use.

Sounds good and fair to us.

As is the case with its 55 cosponsors (54 of whom are Democrats) and Senator Kamala Harris – who is leading the Senate companion.

Which Brings Us to the Senate

It might come as a shock to you, but Harris’ companion legislation has not yet been scheduled for action in the GOP-controlled chamber.

Many feel that the Senate would favor something less-reaching. Far less-reaching, in fact. They feel that if there’s any chance that the Senate will EVER vote to legalize marijuana on the federal level, it has to start with proposing that state-approved cannabis activity be exempt from federal prohibition.

This specific proposal is called the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. It wouldn’t deschedule marijuana. And it certainly wouldn’t address necessary measures to ensure equity in the legal industry for struggling communities.

It’s a very conservative measure, to be sure. But that’s precisely the point. It could pass in the Senate. And even the guy who lives in the White House has voiced support for it.

So yeah, while the wheels are in motion, they’re going slower than we’d like. But it may have to be enough.

For now.

Could Your Cannabis Business Use More Momentum?

Whatever is decided in the vote to federally legalize marijuana this Wednesday, there’s no arguing that your current cannabis business needs the best marketing and public relations to stay in motion.

Contact us today to find out how to maximize your efforts.

The post Congress Planning Vote to Federally Legalize Marijuana appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

In case you haven’t heard, one Democratic presidential hopeful is not part of that two-thirds.

Former Vice President Joe Biden does not favor federal legalization of marijuana.

So while marijuana is legal to the north in Canada – and it soon will be  to the south in Mexico – sandwiched in between is a nation of folks forced to continue to listen to politicians argue over the issue.

It’s a real hoot and a holler.

Why Joe Biden Does Not Favor Federal Legalization

To be fair, Biden didn’t just crawl out from under a rock. He’s not completely in the dark ages on this.

In fact, he IS in favor of decriminalization.

And he feels that marijuana should be classified a Schedule II drug instead of a Schedule I drug. His thinking is that this will make it easier to get funding for research.

Maybe so.

He also doesn’t believe people should be in prison for marijuana possession and that anyone who is should have his or her record expunged. “Every single right should be returned,” he says.

In addition, he contends that nobody should be in jail for a drug problem and that the country needs to invest more in rehabilitation centers than in prisons.

But having said all of this, he also holds the confusing belief that marijuana offenses should be treated as misdemeanors. And misdemeanor offenses do carry the possibility of jail time.

It’s this specific stance that distances him from nearly every one of his Democratic presidential primary opponents. And certainly from those in the lead.

Most Of The Other Candidates Favor Marijuana Legalization

Biden agrees that we need to change the way we look at marijuana. But there’s not a lot of passion behind it.

Other candidates are far more vocal.

For example, in September’s debate, Senator Cory Booker said, “There’s no difference in America between blacks, whites and Latinos for using drugs or dealing drugs—but if you’re African American, you’re almost four times more likely to be arrested and incarcerated, destroying your lives. So much of this comes down to privilege.”

“We need to reform this system and we must do it now,” he said. “Every day that we wait is too long.”

Booker introduced the Marijuana Justice Act – a landmark bill which would expunge arrest records and make cannabis legal at the federal level. It is cosponsored by Senators Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren.

And Mayor Pete Buttigieg openly calls for decriminalizing all drugs – emphasizing the need for counseling over convicting.

It’s all very enlightened. And yet, here we are.

Should This Be of Concern?

Well, it all depends on what keeps you up at night.

Many believe that the former Vice President is trying to diplomatically navigate the waters between young voters who want to legalize marijuana, and older voters who fondly remember his role in waging the War on Drugs back in the 1980s.

Certainly, marijuana advocates are concerned about his position. Rolling Stone has gone as far to say that “when it comes to marijuana legalization, Biden is basically the worst candidate in the race.”

That may be true. But we can still think of worse candidates for president. Far worse.

So there’s that.

Get the Latest on the Cannabis Industry

If you’re curious about more than just why Joe Biden does not favor federal legalization, keep checking back with our blog.

We’ll keep you in the know on the what’s trending in cannabis marketing, technology, politics, and business.

The post Not ALL Democratic Candidates Favor Federal Legalization of Marijuana appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.