[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 124 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



              Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act

  Madam President, now on another issue, marijuana, 20 years ago, 
roughly a third of the population supported the decriminalization of 
marijuana. Today that number is almost 70 percent. Even deep-rooted 
South Dakota voted to legalize the adult use of marijuana.
  Americans' perception of marijuana has, justifiably, changed, and it 
is time that Congress caught up and reformed our laws to reflect the 
popular wisdom and the science. So, yesterday, I joined with Senator 
Booker, who has been such a leader on this issue for so long, and 
Chairman Wyden, who has been active on this issue as well, our Finance 
chairman, to introduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, 
which represents a monumental change because, at long last, it would 
take steps to right the wrongs of the failed War on Drugs. It would 
remove marijuana from the Federal list of controlled substances and 
expunge the criminal records of those with low-level marijuana 
offenses.
  Many States are rapidly moving toward legalization, including my home 
State of New York. The legislature did that in this past session. These 
States show the potential for new industries that can give 
opportunities to long-forgotten entrepreneurs. Our law would establish 
fair administration so small businesses and communities of color can 
get their fair shake in the marijuana business.
  And we would deal with expungement--the tragedy of a young person 
being arrested because they had a small amount of marijuana in their 
pocket but, because of the historic overcriminalization, they have a 
permanent, serious criminal record that prevents them, inhibits them 
from moving forward in their lives.
  Now, I am the first majority leader to say it is time to end the 
Federal prohibition on marijuana, and as majority leader I am going to 
push this issue forward and make it a priority for the Senate.
  In short, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would help 
the Federal Government catch up with what much of the country already 
understands, that we need to rethink our approach to marijuana and 
end--end--decades of overcriminalization.