“I think it’s a terrible public policy,” Rounds said shortly after his state legalized cannabis in November. “I have not changed my mind about it.”
Rounds are out of step with voters in his state. South Dakotans approved a measure in November to legalize cannabis 54 to 45 percent for adults.
The House has already taken steps to reflect the emerging consensus on legalization: in December, it passed a bill to lift federal fines on cannabis. But the Senate must consider another similar bill in committee.
“Despite the public polls on this issue and the popularity of the issue, it does not appear to have an effect on a sufficient number of senators,” said John Hudak, a cannabis expert at The Brookings Institution. ‘I think they should be less afraid of this issue. But in the end it is not. ”
Win-win situation
A party that possesses political power rarely benefits by not keeping a promise. But in the case of cannabis, which has broad support among both Democratic and Republican voters, lawmakers argue that a failure this year could benefit Democrats. This is because Schumer and other progressive people could then use the issue as a ploy against the IDP in next year’s interim periods.
“A failure serves as a motivator for 2022 and says, ‘We need more Democrats,’ Hudak pointed out. ‘It could be an effective fundraising message for [Schumer]. ”
Industry officials argue that the issue is a political winner, regardless of whether Congress currently has the votes for a major reform of federal marijuana policy.
“I think there is room for … to be more progressive with it, without considering a loss as a political negative, just like any other issue,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO of Cresco Labs, a important marijuana, said. company operating in several states, as well as chair of the National Cannabis Roundtable, a leading industry group. ‘I think it’s more of a problem for [Schumer] if he does not bring it [up]. ”
Libertarian support?
Schumer may find unexpected legal support from the IDP, but may have to make some compromises on the bill in order to do so. Libertarians like the Republican sense. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Rand Paul of Kentucky have openly indicated to remove marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, but Republicans have enacted the provisions of taxation and racial equity in legislation such as the MORE Act in previous Congress.
“I’m not a big fan of federal excise taxes and criminal fines at regulations,” Paul said.
The removal of funding for social equity or provisions to erase criminal records could lure additional Republicans to a cannabis reform bill. But these changes could alienate Democrats – especially progressive people who would not pass a bill without the language for criminal law reform.