Bipartisan “Path to Marijuana Reform” bills introduced to decriminalize, protect, regulate cannabis industry
Three marijuana-related bills address issues such as taxation, banking, civil forfeiture, de-scheduling, decriminalization, research, individual protections and regulation
Thursday, March 30, 2017
U.S. lawmakers introduced a package of marijuana reform bills aimed at protecting and preserving existing state-based programs while creating a framework for the federal regulation of cannabis. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, announced the Path to Marijuana Reform, a bipartisan package of three related bills that address issues such as taxation, banking, civil forfeiture, descheduling, decriminalization, research, individual protections and regulation. “This is the most comprehensive package that’s (yet) been advanced,” Blumenauer said. While some other marijuana-related bills have been introduced to get at portions of the issue, “this is an opportunity to have the big picture.” (See also: Prosecuting pot: Nation’s DAs seek consensus)