Democratic senators spearheading the move to legalize marijuana in federal law say they are on track to introduce legislation before the August recess, reports the Hill. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), said Thursday they will bring "this vital bill closer to its official introduction" before the recess. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances to "help repair our criminal justice system, ensure restorative justice, protect public health, and implement responsible taxes and regulations.”
Because of the Senate's 50-50 party split, Democrats would need their entire caucus and the support of at least 10 Republicans to bypass a likely filibuster. Reservations from some Democrats also pose an obstacle. Wyden said that producing the bill "well before the August recess" is key to "building momentum for cannabis reform". The House has passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, which among other changes, would also remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances.