U.S. Senator Introduces Bill To Legalize Marijuana Nationwide

ABC Columbia Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WOLO) –

Imagine that recreational marijuana is legal across the entire United States.

That’s what one U.S. Senator is hoping for.

New Jersey democrat, Cory Booker, took to Facebook Live Tuesday afternoon to announce his new bill.

It’s call the Marijuana Justice Act and if passed the drug would be legal at the federal level. However, individual states would still have discretion on whether or not to legalize it.

Eight states and the District of Columbia have already legalized the use of recreational marijuana.

Senator Booker claims that revenue has risen and crime has declined for the states where the drug is legal.

Booker makes the argument that those serving time for marijuana related crimes should be released or have their sentences reduced to “help reduce our overflowing prison population.”

 

For decades, the failed War on Drugs has locked up millions of nonviolent drug offenders—especially for marijuana-related offenses—at an incredible cost of lost human potential, torn apart families and communities, and taxpayer dollars. The effects of the drug war have had a disproportionately devastating impact on Americans of color and the poor. Today I’m introducing the Marijuana Justice Act, a bill that if passed will legalize marijuana at the federal level and go even further in an effort to remedy many of the failures of the War on Drugs. This is the right thing to do for public safety, and will help reduce our overflowing prison population. Watch below as I outline the provisions of the bill in detail. I’ll also answer many of your questions – please leave them in the comments.

Posted by Cory Booker on Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Categories: National News, News

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