The recent cannabis expungement announcement by POTUS is raising optimism
Cory Booker has established himself as one of those senators loyal to marijuana reforms, showing more and more optimism, especially now that the winds seem to be blowing in a more appropriate direction. President Joe Biden’s move to issue federal marijuana pardons was welcomed by the senator, he said in a new interview. While he applauded those efforts by the White House, Booker says much more can be done to address the war on drugs and hopes he and his colleagues can enact more measures before Congress adjourns.
Booker is known for being one of three sponsors of the federal legalization bill along with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Now, Booker took the time to talk about the need to more comprehensively address cannabis policy in an interview late last week.
He believes Biden has now taken a significant step forward with his decision to officially review how marijuana is classified on the Controlled Substances List and the proclamation of pardons. Still, it appears that his thirst has not been fully quenched, and argues that there is still a long way to go if the wrongs of prohibition are truly to be righted. Facilitating expungements is one of the clear examples he pointed to.
While federal legalization has been stalled for some time and lacks sufficient bipartisan support, Booker said he is optimistic about its enactment. He noted that voters in red and blue states alike approved ending prohibition on the ballot. He is clear that there are many people who understand that it is time for action at the federal level and it will be that momentum that counts at the end of the day.