Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has been a vocal opponent of Republicans, Republican ideas, and Donald Trump i particular. Despite usually being on the Other Side, however, he has today introduced a bill that conservatives should be (perhaps cautiously) optimistic for.
NEW: Sen. Schumer to introduce legislation to decriminalize marijuana.
“My thinking—as well as the general population’s views—on the issue has evolved, and so I believe there’s no better time than the present to get this done," he says. "It’s simply the right thing to do." pic.twitter.com/DlBt6qozlE
— ABC News (@ABC) April 20, 2018
The Democratic leader in the Senate is also using some strangely conservative talk to promote the bill.
THREAD: It’s official. Today, I am formally announcing my plan to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. It’s time we allow states, once and for all, to have the power to decide what works best for them.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2018
I have long believed that states should function as their own laboratories of democracy. My bill is a step in the right direction aimed at removing the barriers to state legalization efforts.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2018
Schumer has filed a bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, which means it would be up to states to set up their own laws and regulations. While many will consider it a step toward legalization, that doesn’t necessarily mean full legalization is coming.
However, proponents of criminal justice reform can and should celebrate the bill as it would mean a good chance to reform the prison system and get those convicted of simple possession a better chance to get out and stay out for such crimes. Schumer’s tweet thread continued on this track.
So why have I changed my stance? Looking at the numbers helped. 2/3 of Americans believe marijuana should be legalized, meanwhile more than half of all drug arrests in the United States are marijuana arrests. (https://t.co/MUOam2uIxz)
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2018
And under existing law, the federal government considers marijuana as dangerous as heroin and treats it less favorably than cocaine. That has to change.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2018
While it’s okay to be wary of any movement who attempts to legalize right away, Schumer’s bill is a potentially great first step in helping the cause of criminal justice reform and reducing the federal government’s role in superseding state’s authority in such matters.
Stay cautiously optimistic about this bill, while recognizing that if they can, Congress will screw this up.
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