Oregon D-Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced a bill into Congress that if passed, removes cannabis from the controlled substance act completely. It would also allow the plant to be regulated similarly to alcohol, per Forbes. The bills official name is H.R. 420 and colloquially known as the “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act.”
“While the bill number may be a bit tongue in cheek, the issue is very serious. Our federal marijuana laws are outdated, out of touch and have negatively impacted countless lives,” Blumenauer said in a press release. “Congress cannot continue to be out of touch with a movement that a growing majority of Americans support. It’s time to end this senseless prohibition.”
An obvious call out to the infamous stoner number, the bill’s name tickled stoner culture and has created quite the stir online. What’s more important is it’s the latest attempt to reschedule cannabis. Last year, R-Rep. Gaetz introduced H.R. 2020 aiming to change cannabis from a schedule I to a schedule III drug. Schedule III drugs are at less risk for abuse and have the potential for medical use.
H.R. 420 dictates that cannabis in any form be completely removed from the drug schedule model. This bill also provides a general layout of how it will decriminalize cannabis on the federal level and strike it from the controlled substance act. It briefly outlines the creation of a Federal Marijuana Administration and speaks on business licenses and practices.
With the government shutdown is closing in on its fourth week and there’s no telling when this bill will be passed. It’s good to know that even while many of our politicians intentionally stall our government’s operation, others are doing their job and trying to pass legislation their constituents care about.
