The ‘420 Bill’ to Federally Legalize Marijuana Has Officially Been Introduced

[Robrites]

The “420 Bill” is officially on a roll.



A federal bill that would legalize cannabis and regulate it like alcohol was introduced in the Senate on Friday by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. The bill, the Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act, has been designated as S. 420 by Wyden and is a companion measure to H.R. 420, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by fellow Oregon Democrat Rep. Earl Blumenauer last month.
A Democratic aide to the Senate Finance Committee, where Wyden is the ranking member, said that the bill aims to “responsibly legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana at the federal level,” according to media reports. Wyden said in a press release on Friday that now is the time for cannabis reform at the national level.
“The federal prohibition of marijuana is wrong, plain and simple. Too many lives have been wasted, and too many economic opportunities have been missed,” Wyden said. “It’s time Congress make the changes Oregonians and Americans across the country are demanding.”
Blumenauer agreed, noting that voters’ opinions on cannabis have changed and that their representatives in Congress should follow suit.

“Oregon has been and continues to be a leader in commonsense marijuana policies and the federal government must catch up,” said Blumenauer. “The American people have elected the most pro-cannabis Congress in American history and significant pieces of legislation are being introduced. The House is doing its work and with the help of Senator Wyden’s leadership in the Senate, we will break through.”
Bill is Part of Legislative Package

S. 420 is part of a package of bills intended to reform federal cannabis policy dubbed by Wyden and Blumenauer as the Path to Marijuana Reform. The other measures in the package, the Small Business Tax Equity Act and the Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act. The Small Business Tax Equity Act would repeal provisions of the tax code that deny cannabis businesses the right to take the same tax deductions as companies in other industries.
The Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act would remove federal criminal penalties and civil asset forfeiture for individuals and businesses complying with state law. The bill would also give cannabis businesses legal under state law access to banking, bankruptcy protection, marijuana research, and advertising. The bill includes an expungement process for some marijuana convictions which will reduce some of the collateral damage of the War on Drugs, including the denial of federal housing and financial aid. The bill also gives veterans access to legal medical marijuana programs and protects Native American tribes from prosecution under federal cannabis laws.


https://hightimes.com/news/420-bill...esBdd37SaK5FL9tW_gC81i-V9N-2A_Ezauy66SJ7bPf-I

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

Hopefully this federal bill gets thru - and into law - and there is some clause in it that vindicates any current and past federal prosecutions for cannabis use and distribution -

 

[gladysvjubb]

Hey Man ~ It is getting closer, that is for sure. I still enjoy growing my own. I just love staying stoned. It takes all the pain out of my life. Grow on people!

 

[farmerlion]

This would be the most significant piece of legislation since the Bill of Rights. I have already been emailing my representatives. NORML does a great job in pre writing letters for individual States. Just fill out your name and address and hit send. Every US. citizen needs to be doing this and please support NORML.
Everyone running for president will be on board for this ride. It may well determine the next President.
Peace. MedDakotabis

 

[bigtacofarmer]

Will we be allowed to grow?

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Hopefully this federal bill gets thru - and into law -

I certainly hope this isn't as bad as I think. I predict this will create a HUGE mess for cannabis going forward. Cannabis is not alcohol, and this legislation bans cultivation without a license.

Will we be allowed to grow?

No.

and there is some clause in it that vindicates any current and past federal prosecutions for cannabis use and distribution -

This is beginning to happen in the individual states, and I don't see why it won't become national at some point. I don't see it happening fast enough is all.

Let's end the ridiculous amount of suffering from ignorance.

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

Well - if it bans home growing - then its not good at all - maybe I was just thinking of my current situation, and wanted the relief of these federal charges against me for selling seeds dropped - so that I can visit my son in Holland - and not risk being shanghaied via this Interpol red notice Doug.

I certainly hope this isn't as bad as I think. I predict this will create a HUGE mess for cannabis going forward. Cannabis is not alcohol, and this legislation bans home growing.


This is beginning to happen in the individual states, and I don't see why it won't become national at some point. I don't see it happening fast enough is all.

Let's end the ridiculous amount of suffering from ignorance.

 

[Medfinder]

In my neck of the woods prices for indoor at 2 a gram... Uhh.. is the price going to be like 1978 when leafy commercial Mexican was 10 bucks for 4 finger lids?

 

[MJPassion]

VOTE NO!


Isn't this plant taxed enough already?
FUCK TPTB and their theivery!

 

[shaggyballs]

Legaization is just about getting the blackmarket money in the hands of the already rich.
Once they have control you will be stuck with mail order buds.
Vote no!
I tried to warn of this but I was laughed at.

This seems to be the new catch phrase.
I voted for legalization, but now I have to grow illegally because legalization is too oppressive.
The only thing to change with legalization is the hand the money is flowing to, it now belongs to the already rich bussiness man instead of the pot heads of the world.

This is not good for anyone but the already rich.

 

[pipeline]

We are going through the stepping-stones to freedom. We have to be patient, optimistic, and diligent, fighting one battle at a time. We will win the war. The truth is coming out. God is on our side!


https://norml.org/act
______________________________________________________________________

Federal: End The Federal Government's Enforcement of Marijuana Prohibition

https://norml.org/action-center/ite...rnment-s-enforcement-of-marijuana-prohibition



Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Earl Blumenauer have introduced legislation in the House and Senate -- The Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act / Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act -- (S. 420 and HR 420) to permit states to establish their own marijuana regulatory policies free from federal interference. In addition to removing marijuana from the United States Controlled Substances Act, this legislation also removes enforcement power from the US Drug Enforcement Administration in matter concerning marijuana possession, production, and sales — thus permitting state governments to regulate these activities as they see fit. An additional excise tax would be levied on the sale of marijuana.
Thirty-three states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico have enacted legislation specific to the physician-authorized use of cannabis. Moreover, an estimated 73 million Americans now reside in the ten states where anyone over the age of 21 may possess cannabis legally. An additional fifteen states have passed laws specific to the possession of cannabidiol (CBD) oil for therapeutic purposes.
Enter your information to the right to send a message to your members of Congress to support this effort.

 

[herbgreen]

Cory Booker also introduced The Marijuana Justice Act......


Federal: The Marijuana Justice Act
Senator Cory Booker and Rep. Barbara Lee have introduced comprehensive marijuana reform legislation, the Marijuana Justice Act to both chambers of Congress.

This marks the first time that companion legislation has been introduced in both chambers of Congress remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

The bills, S. 1689 and HR 4815 would (1) remove marijuana from the US Controlled Substances Act, thereby ending the federal criminalization of cannabis; (2) incentivize states to mitigate existing and ongoing racial disparities in state-level marijuana arrests; (3) expunge federal convictions specific to marijuana possession; (4) allow individuals currently serving time in federal prison for marijuana-related violations to petition the court for resentencing; (5) and create a community reinvestment fund to invest in communities most impacted by the failed War on Drugs.

The ongoing enforcement of cannabis prohibition financially burdens taxpayers, encroaches upon civil liberties, engenders disrespect for the law, impedes legitimate scientific research into the plant's medicinal properties, and disproportionately impacts communities of color.

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/federal-the-marijuana-justice-act-of-2017-introduced

 

[shaggyballs]

Remember

It is illegal to distill alcohol without having either a "distilled spirits permit" or a "federal fuel alcohol permit." It does not matter if the alcohol is for personal use only, not for sale, etc.

The intent is to specifically prevent hobby distilling, ever since prohibition.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Remember

It is illegal to distill alcohol without having either a "distilled spirits permit" or a "federal fuel alcohol permit." It does not matter if the alcohol is for personal use only, not for sale, etc.

The intent is to specifically prevent hobby distilling, ever since prohibition.

Exactly.

The wording specifically states cultivation is illegal without a license.

 

[art.spliff]

Maybe it is a good idea to contact Congress members about this. Not something I've done much of in the past.

Removing the criminal charges and associations from cannabis I am all for and is mostly what I perceive it to be that I am voting for. I'll admit I was not much involved in medical cannabis while it developed and arguably thrived.

It is sad to see from a certain perspective, what may look like black market growers and the recreational market, competing with one another and displacing the medical market.

The part about regulated like alcohol I do not agree with. Some of the health benefits of cannabis and its lack of risk have been published in medical journals for years, decades now.

There is no argument that tobacco or alcohol have numerous health benefits leading to a longer life etc.

Two things are going on.

Removing the criminal penalty - yes. This has great socioeconomic immediate and downstream potential.

Treat cannabis as a recreational drug - no. The liquor store and pharmaceutical model of extracting the most $ from every gram of garbage product, should not be tolerated at any level to any extent.

The first part is close to de facto law in the US and it should be written on the books as such. To retroactively exonerate people persecuted with unjust harassment seizures arrests convictions sanctions and so on.

Organic medicine produced sustainably, explicitly defined by input source materials, tested for contaminants rather than thc %, as far as regulated unsubsidized production.

To expand a bit we have a major nationwide problem with toxin contamination in our food and water supplies. It is critical that any crop be grown to a higher standard to promote health of the population. Otherwise millions are going to get more and more sick while someone takes off with cash. Instead of growing plants from the earth using the sun for energy as nature intended.

I am ok with some competition, in the sense I can produce my own food and medicine. Either sustaining myself or competing in a market free of taxes and regulations and corporate subsidies.

However it is beyond reasonable to start the equivalent of fast food chain, animal factory farms with low wages and even lower quality product. There must be a close eye not to turn the medicine into a poison.

Ideologically I'd be disappointed and upset to see such a thing take place - for example commercially produced extract using the cheapest methods and labor will very likely increase harmful toxin and heavy metal concentration. At that point I am not sure if poison is being marketed at medicine or vice versa.

The present system in place to monitor food production is inadequate. I have little to no trust in food production in the United States, the % edible is shrinking. Maintaining this kind of production and cultivating cannabis in a similar way is likely going to be just as disastrous.

A problem with many investor or finance talking people is they are often reluctant to examine the problems and potential negative consequences of their actions. In other words they carry a skill to ignore their own harm to others and believe they are justified with little to no honesty to everyone else the public. To me so much legal entitlement is a masquerade protected by law.

I'm not sure how many other people notice but even corn, bananas, apples from the grocery story are pretty bland, to the point they do not even taste real or ripe or edible many times. Has this always been the case? If produce is barely edible why does it continue to be produced and sold?

Where is the attention to quality? The feeling is that one has been sacrificed beyond a tipping point i.e. 100% production 0% quality. Congratulations you have successfully converted all available energy (even what was supposed to be for flavor and nutrient) into production. How much better is it than the cardboard containers it's packaged in?

Turn this legal argument on its head if you will, this regulation must be directed at corporate financial toxic interests. In the past (most) all laws have been directed at the poorest segments of society. While I want to feel safe at night laws are really only protecting the powerful to retain wealth as far as I can see.

Freeing the plant, or freeing people who may have been associated with the plant, is a step in the right direction. Any gov't control such as the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the Drug Enforcement Agency, or the FBI or CIA have no business going after anyone for cannabis.

Without handcuffing citizens for growing a plant, this billion dollar industry may change a bit. Growers might be steadfast but who knows what will happen with the rest.

 

[art.spliff]

With cannabis becoming federally legal it casts a nostalgic light on historic cannabis for many of us. Waiting for hours on end for a dodgy dealer for a small bag of some of what was called a "gateway drug." Many users repeated this process as frequently as once per day for years. Hidden bunker grows way out in the sticks using diesel generators, underground lights, heavily armed police raids, people who devoted much of their lives to it.

Now I'm having a little difficulty resolving the commercial rec cannabis, its overall organizational and financial structure, with past or present enforcement. What I mean to say is I would like to separate the concept of a scary guy with a gun, and/or a literal guy with a gun, who wants my money, from the black market and the legal market. To make it safe but not prohibitively expensive.

Black market cannabis is priced lower than it was 10 years ago but recreational shops have the highest prices in history. I'm referring to relative and absolute costs in different regions and markets, rather than regional price differences like cities fetching higher amounts than rural farming areas. This does not make sense, really. Whether it is price gouging or genuine (intentional or unintentional) higher production costs, either way it is the case now. A notion of bragging you fetched/paid more distorts the value (real, medicinal) from perceived.

Every so and so who did not grow my cannabis plants should not feel entitled to any money or portion of my plants or labor, whether or not they have a gun, whatever attitude they have or entitlement they feel they deserve.

This segment or group of people appear to be security guards who hired themselves. Think about that for a moment, what is a security guard who you did not choose to hire? This large pool of people has no place, or has to (majorly) readjust, in a world that doesn't demand physically aggressive or oppressive "tax" collectors.

With reference to cannabis I mean, the regulator looks really close to a tax collector who threatens jail time and fines. If you really check someone on their action at this point - they have no reason to meddle in your business other than money. No inspection or lab test is going to be free, maybe they should offer this and work on a trust system.

This structure of maintaining different laws in different states while functioning globally, and tying food and pharmaceutical production to fossil fuel use with currency as a motive is not a sound long term plan. Not that I would want to, but I do not feel I benefit from this as a citizen, instead I feel harmed by it. I would feel much better seeing and participating in and voting for socialist or mutually beneficial actions for society. If people work and help one another then the concept of printing money becomes relatively pointless, when the alternative is hoarding paper money in your own account so you can keep it all yourself. To what end. The parents are feeding the kids kool aid because it's cheaper to buy, but the children are going to suffer potentially life long as a result.

 

[herbgreen]

Remember

It is illegal to distill alcohol without having either a "distilled spirits permit" or a "federal fuel alcohol permit." It does not matter if the alcohol is for personal use only, not for sale, etc.

The intent is to specifically prevent hobby distilling, ever since prohibition.

This is true

However, many states allow distilling even w/fed law

...but probably would not have with the all out prohibition of alcohol

Right now a few more states are standing up and feds have been held back....

We need to remove the all out fed ban

Then we can loosen up the rest of the states....feds can ban growing

Right now its a schedule 1 narcotic....Lets get it removed from there

Its a foot in the door thing....feds may never allow growing and distribution without license

States will make and enforce their own laws but few will have much ground to stand on unless the schedule 1 is got rid of .

feds want to stop things like interstate distribution and mass production

I would like to see it imported from Jamaica and Colombia and Mexico and Thailand/Laos, Nepal places like that.....

Feds can only fuckup so much...but just get the all out ban removed

States will take it from there Its the Fed breakthrough we need

And it will happen.

 

[Robrites]

Exactly.

The wording specifically states cultivation is illegal without a license.

With a license requirement, they can track it. If they can track it, they can tax it. If they can tax it, they will legalize it.

 

[art.spliff]

Yes it is also a way of preventing people from selling at market without paying license fees I think. Arrest people or take away their ability to sell, both ways/either can have a similar effect. Each is an oppressive action. Arresting someone and jailing them, or structuring a market to remove their ability/source of income. It seems the state does not want independent strong citizens it wants sheep to tax and manipulate to no end. The idea of regulation and safety in theory has practical benefits. In the real world this is what it looks like, more taxes fines bills etc. Are these police or not (yes) sort of thing.

 

[armedoldhippy]

literally anything that is bought & sold has a tax bill attached. many have mentioned the "tomato" ideal. grow as many tomatoes as you like, and sell those you don't eat at the farmers market. that's cool. but...anything that you make money on, you are supposed to declare & pay taxes on. folks that think the black market model of "fuck 'em, it's MY money" do not understand (nor want to) the existing laws. if you are growing your tomatoes in a greenhouse & selling them commercially, there ARE licenses etc involved. yes, even tomatoes. it is unrealistic to expect the govt to not want their cut. don't want to obey the laws/rules? cool, i don't care, the black market is not going away. but don't be surprised/outraged/expect US to be outraged when you get busted for tax evasion. the govt is not going to allow an intoxicating substance to be grown/sold with no oversight. ever. just as with alcohol, you can make all of the beer/wine you can drink, but you cannot sell it without a license & pay taxes on your profit. sorry...