Bernie’s new book says marijuana prohibition is doing more harm than good
Senator Bernie Sanders is a believer. He understands the importance of marijuana and has repeatedly sought to have cannabis descheduled, including through a Senate bill he drafted in 2015. After not seeing much headway on the subject, he has now tried a different tactic – publishing his thoughts in a book.
In “Where We Go from Here: Two Years in the Resistance,” which was released this week, Sanders points out how a simple conviction for marijuana conviction can ruin someone’s life, preventing them from being employed, renting a house or even being accepted to college. He asks, “How many young people’s lives got off to a bad start because of a police record related to marijuana?”
The politician continues, “The good news is that many states and cities across the country are taking action to undo the damage caused by the war on drugs. More and more states are moving to decriminalize or legalize the possession of marijuana, and some have passed legislation to expunge prior misdemeanor convictions.”
Sanders has co-sponsored a number of marijuana reform bills, urging supporters to put pressure on lawmakers to deschedule and legalize cannabis. He aptly pointed out earlier this year, “We need to have an understanding that prohibition against alcohol did not work in the 1920s, and prohibition against marijuana and other drugs is not working today.”
His new book comes out at a time of more discussion on Capitol Hill regarding cannabis. Given the changes coming in January in Congress – and President Trump’s acknowledged commitment to legalize marijuana – it’s possible that we will see federal regulations surface within the first half of 2019.
