The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is a group of progressive members of the United States Congress that advocates for policies that benefit working families and promote social and economic justice. One of the key issues that the CPC has been pushing for is the legalization of marijuana at the federal level.
Currently, marijuana is legal for recreational use in 18 states and Washington D.C., and for medical use in 36 states. However, at the federal level, marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to possess, sell, or use. This disconnect between state and federal laws has created confusion and inconsistency in how marijuana is regulated and enforced across the country.
The CPC believes that the best way to legalize marijuana at the federal level is by winning House and Senate majorities in the upcoming November elections. With control of both chambers of Congress, Democrats would have the power to pass legislation that would remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances and regulate it like alcohol or tobacco.
In order to win House and Senate majorities, the CPC is focusing on mobilizing progressive voters and building a coalition of support for marijuana legalization. They are working to educate voters on the benefits of legalization, such as reducing mass incarceration, generating tax revenue, and creating new jobs in the cannabis industry.
The CPC is also working to address concerns about the impact of legalization on public health and safety. They are advocating for regulations that would restrict advertising and marketing of marijuana products, prevent underage use, and ensure that marijuana businesses operate responsibly.
In addition to winning House and Senate majorities, the CPC believes that President Joe Biden’s support for marijuana decriminalization and expunging past marijuana convictions will be crucial in advancing federal legalization. Biden has expressed support for decriminalizing marijuana and expunging past convictions, but has stopped short of endorsing full legalization.
Overall, the Congressional Progressive Caucus believes that legalizing marijuana at the federal level is not only a matter of social justice and economic opportunity, but also a way to address the inconsistencies and injustices created by the current patchwork of state laws. By winning House and Senate majorities in November, Democrats have the opportunity to make significant progress on this issue and bring about meaningful change for millions of Americans.