July 27, 2022 John,
Senate leadership has finally introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), and we need your help to build support.
The bill would end federal prohibition by removing cannabis from the schedule of controlled substances, provide regulatory guidance to states, expunge federal convictions while helping states do the same, provide relief for veterans, remove barriers to research, improve opportunities in the legal cannabis industry, begin to repair the harms caused by cannabis criminalization, and much more.
The CAOA is by far the most comprehensive and beneficial descheduling bill to have been introduced in the Senate, and shows how far we've come in a relatively short time. Unfortunately, the tax rates it would establish are higher than we would like and would likely fall on consumers and small businesses the hardest, but there is still plenty of time for lawmakers to amend those provisions.
Please urge your Senators to support the CAOA and work with their colleagues to develop a more feasible, less burdensome tax structure.
And remember, gaining additional support for this bill also helps us build momentum for popular and bipartisan incremental legislation that has a very real chance of making it to the President's desk this year.
Together, we can make 2022 the best year yet for federal cannabis policy reform!
Thanks for all you do,
Morgan Fox, NORML Political Director
P.S. Our efforts are supported by thousands of people throughout the country as we work to advance marijuana reform in all 50 states and the federal level. Can you kick in $5, $10 or $20 a month to help us keep going?
