Schumer And Democratic Senators Seek Support For Federal Marijuana Lrgislation Bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are soliciting support for a federal marijuana legalization bill that they plan to introduce later this month, setting a sign-on deadline for original cosponsors on the eve of the cannabis holiday 4/20.
Here's the link: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/schumer-and-democratic-senators-seek-support-for-federal-marijuana-legalization-bill-ahead-of-4-20-with-plans-to-file-this-month/. Schumer said in a separate Dear Colleague letter last week that he intends to pass the legislation to “safeguard cannabis banking” as part of a “busy agenda” that he hopes to achieve in the “weeks and months ahead,” though he again stressed the need for bipartisan cooperation.
He also recently asked people to show their support for the SAFER Banking Act by signing a petition as he steps up his push for the legislation. A poll released last month by the American Bankers Association (ABA) shows that roughly three out of five Americans support allowing marijuana industry access to the banking system.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who also sits on that committee, said this month that that “if Republicans want to keep the House,” they should pass the marijuana banking bill, arguing that “there are votes” to approve it.
Schumer told Marijuana Moment last month that the bill remains a “very high priority” for the Senate, and members are having “very productive” bicameral talks to reach a final agreement.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) also said last month that passing the SAFER Banking Act off the floor is a “high priority.” However, he also recently said in a separate interview that advancing the legislation is complicated by current House dynamics.
Meanwhile, a top Democratic House member also reintroduced legislation last year to federally legalize, tax and regulate marijuana, with provisions to expunge prior cannabis convictions.