We post news and comment on federal criminal justice issues, focused primarily on trial and post-conviction matters, legislative initiatives, and sentencing issues.

MARIJUANA LEGISLATION RESURRECTED

A bipartisan but Republican-led effort to legalize marijuana federally was reintroduced in Congress last week, just before red-as-a-beet Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana.

Rep Nancy Mace (R-SC), was expected to reintroduce the States Reform Act (H.R. 6028) before Oct 24, when her office refiled a bill “to amend the Controlled Substances Act regarding marihuana.” The bill, which currently has no text, is being sponsored by Representatives Dean Phillips (D-MN), David Trone (D-MD), Tom McClintock (R-CA), and Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

A previous version of Mace’s pot legalization bill introduced in late 2021 would have removed marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and set a 3.75% federal excise tax on sales.

In the Senate, Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) says he intends to amend marijuana legislation there to include “criminal justice provisions,” mentioning expungements as he’s done in the past but also citing in the letter additional measures such as resentencing for current federal cannabis prisoners.

New York Times, Ohio Issue 2 Election Results: Legalize Marijuana (November 8, 2023) 

MJBiz Daily, Republican-led federal marijuana legalization effort reappears in Congress (November 2, 2023)

H.R. 6028, States Reform Act

Marijuana Moment, Schumer Emphasizes ‘Moral Responsibility’ Of Adding Criminal Justice Provisions To Marijuana Banking Bill As Republicans Push For Floor Vote (November 2, 2023)

– Thomas L. Root