WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of three senators is introducing a bill that could end the federal ban on medical marijuana.
Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) were joined by Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) at a press conference Tuesday, speaking about their proposal.
“Our federal government has long overstepped the boundaries of common sense, fiscal prudence, and compassion with its marijuana laws,” Sen. Booker said. “These laws must change.”
The bill would also reclassify marijuana as schedule two instead of its current schedule one, which prevents marijuana from being considered medicinal. The authors of the bill say that would open doors to new research to treat illnesses.
“We as a society are changing our opinions on restricting people’s choices as far as medical treatments,” Sen. Paul said. “We don’t want doctors to be punished for simply trying to help.”
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and individuals there would be protected from federal prosecution under this bill.
Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) were joined by Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) at a press conference Tuesday, speaking about their proposal.
“Our federal government has long overstepped the boundaries of common sense, fiscal prudence, and compassion with its marijuana laws,” Sen. Booker said. “These laws must change.”
The bill would also reclassify marijuana as schedule two instead of its current schedule one, which prevents marijuana from being considered medicinal. The authors of the bill say that would open doors to new research to treat illnesses.
“We as a society are changing our opinions on restricting people’s choices as far as medical treatments,” Sen. Paul said. “We don’t want doctors to be punished for simply trying to help.”
Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana, and individuals there would be protected from federal prosecution under this bill.
