Switch to ADA Accessible Website
Orlando Criminal Lawyer

Decriminalizing Marijuana at The Federal Level

FedCrime

Even though almost a dozen states have already legalized marijuana, according to the latest FBI crime statistics, arrests are increasing in connection with marijuana offenses. Still, just as Florida is taking steps to decriminalize marijuana (although only for medical use), Congress is also taking steps to try and ensure that its use is no longer connected to a federal crime. Some of the legislation that has been introduced even attempts to address the criminal justice issue of the enforcement of marijuana crimes largely targeting minority populations.

Indeed, momentum around marijuana legalization at the federal level has never been higher As some who work on the hill have pointed out, at this point, it’s not really a question of whether there will ever be a federal law, it is simply a question of when; with some pointing out that it would be better to have one federal set of rules rather than each state individually passing their own individual laws. Even the Attorney General’s office seems to be moving away from predecessor Jeff Sessions’ crusade against decriminalizing marijuana, indicating that marijuana is not a priority in terms of federal prosecution.

The Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (“STATES”) Act

One of the pieces of federal legislation that has been sponsored is known as the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (“STATES”) Act, which was reintroduced in April. Although it does not remove marijuana from the list of prohibited substances under the Controlled Substances Act, it does exempt any states that have legalized marijuana from federal enforcement if they adhere to certain set of standards. It would also safeguard banks that serve marijuana businesses against being charged with money laundering.

The Realizing Equitable and Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades (“RESPECT”) and Marijuana Justice Act

Other bills seek to take things a step further to address the inequality that has been created by a racist enforcement of laws against marijuana. One of these bills is called the Realizing Equitable and Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades (“RESPECT”) and the other is known as the Marijuana Justice Act, which does remove marijuana from list of prohibited substances under the Controlled Substances Act and goes so far as to make marijuana legal under federal law. It also provides for expunging passed arrest records for marijuana offenses and accelerates early release for those behind bars for these offenses. It also creates a large investment fund as a form of reparations for those hit hardest by the enforcement of these laws.

Senate Bills S.420, S.421 & S.422

On the Senate side, Senator Wyden has introduced a number of bills to try and regulate and tax marijuana. Currently, marijuana businesses cannot claim taxes deductions because, under federal law, their business activities are technically classified as “trafficking” in federally-controlled substances. These bills would also destigmatize marijuana under federal law and prevent those involved in state-legalized businesses from being arrested and hit with penalties. They would also accomplish a number of other reforms, including allowing those with past marijuana offenses to expunge the records, as well as ensuring that marijuana is not a barrier for immigration and naturalization. Perhaps most importantly, they would remove marijuana from the DEA’s schedules. Reformers are ultimately hoping that marijuana can follow in the footsteps of hemp, which is no longer governed under the Controlled Substances Act (of late).

Contact Our Experienced Florida Drug Defense Attorneys to Find Out More

Still, some insist that the country will need a new president in order to get any marijuana reform accomplished.  If you have been arrested for a marijuana-related crime, contact the Orlando criminal lawyers at the Baez Law Firm today to find out more about our experienced criminal defense services.

Resource:

rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/federal-legalization-pot-congress-825517/

https://www.baezlawfirm.com/medical-marijuana-may-finally-be-decriminalized-in-florida-under-desantis/

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Miami

Miami Office

1200 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1410
Miami, FL 33131
Office: 305-999-5100
Fax: 305-999-5111
Orlando

Orlando Office

250 N Orange Ave, Suite 750
Orlando, FL 32801
Office: 407-705-2626
Fax: 407-705-2625

Email Us

Fields Marked * Are required

DISCLAIMER: Completing and submitting this form or otherwise merely contacting The Baez Law Firm or any individual at the firm will not establish an attorney/client relationship. Our firm cannot represent you until we determine that there would be no conflict of interest and that we are otherwise able to accept representation of your case. Please do not send any information or documents until a formal attorney/client relationship has been established through an interview with an attorney and you have been given authorization in the form of an engagement letter with The Baez Law Firm. Any information or documents sent via this form or otherwise prior to your receipt of an engagement letter will not be treated as confidences, secrets, or protected information of any nature. Submitting information regarding your potential case will not bar The Baez Law Firm from representing or continuing to represent a person or entity whose interest are adverse to your in condition with your case.

protected by reCAPTCHA Privacy - Terms
Please review the highlighted fields. They are required.
DISCLAIMER: This website contains information about The Baez Law Firm that includes testimonial statements from persons who are familiar with the firm's services. The testimonials shown are not necessarily representative of every person's experience with us. Testimonials from every client are not provided. As no two situations or persons are identical, the facts and circumstances of your situation may differ from those for which testimonials are shown. This website also includes information about some of the past results that we have obtained for our clients. Not all results are provided, and the results shown are not necessarily representative of all results obtained by us. No two situation are exactly alike; every person's situation is unique and the outcome for each person depends on the individual facts.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
MileMark Media - Practice Growth Solutions

© 2015 - 2024 Baez Law Firm. All rights reserved.
This law firm website and legal marketing are managed by MileMark Media.

Contact Form Tab Contact Form Tab