The historic bill would give more legitimacy to the marijuana legalization movement.
Medical marijuana has been legalized in 23 states. Now some senators have introduced a bill that will legalize medical pot across America.
The bill is a bipartisan one. It was introduced by Republican senator Rand Paul and Democratic senators Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand.
The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act would "allow patients, doctors and businesses in states that have already passed medical marijuana laws to participate in those programs without fear of federal prosecution," said a joint statement from the senators.
The bill would also "make overdue reforms to ensure patients – including veterans receiving care from VA facilities in states with medical marijuana programs – access the care they need," continued the statement.
The act would classify medical marijuana from schedule 1 to schedule 2. Schedule 1 means that marijuana is as harmful as harder drugs like heroin.With the CARES Act, marijuana would then be classified as a drug with medical value.
The CARES Act would also prevent the federal government from interfering in states' marijuana laws. The bill would also stop the Drug Enforcement Agency from closing medical marijuana dispensaries.
Senator Rand Paul has long advocated for more lenient attitudes toward marijuana users. "I think drugs, marijuana included, aren't good for you," said Paul in an interview last year. "That being said, I don't want to put our kids in prison for it."
Marijuana activists praised the decision. "This is a significant step forward when it comes to reforming marijuana laws at the federal level," said Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project.
While the bill may not have Republican support, pot advocates say legalizing medical marijuana is a conservative value. "Talking about reducing the role of government interference in our personal lives and enhancing personal freedom and autonomy, reducing government spending—those are all conservative talking points," said Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws.
 | Ella Vincent - Ella Vincent is a Chicago-based freelance writer for State Column and Apartments.com. She loves political memoirs, 90's rock music, and deep-dish pizza. |
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