With the two Senate races in Georgia going to Democrats (one race has yet to be officially decided), that leaves the Senate with a 50/50 split between Democrats and Republicans. Since VP-elect Kamala Harris gets the deciding vote if the chamber is split down the middle on a bill, the Dems have the advantage.
Mitch McConnell will be out as Senate Majority Leader as Chuck Schumer, an advocate for legalizing marijuana, takes the gavel. Now bills passed by the Dem-controlled House will not be summarily blocked by Republicans. One bill that should pass right away is the SAFE Banking Act, which allows marijuana businesses to use federal banking services.
It will be harder to get the MORE Act passed in the Senate, even with Dem control. The MORE Act would deschedule marijuana and hence end its prohibition.
Twitter is all abuzz about Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff's victories in Georgia and what they mean for marijuana legalization in Congress.
Reminder: Schumer promised that if Dems retake the Senate they will try to decriminalize/legalize marijuana. #cannabisnews https://t.co/4D5rP7EnYA
— Natalie Fertig (@natsfert) January 6, 2021
The Democratic Party will soon control the WH, Senate, and House. If federal marijuana legalization does not pass in the next two years, we'll know exactly who to blame...
— Matthew Schweich (@mhschweich) January 6, 2021
Things the House did last Congress—ignored by McConnell:
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) January 6, 2021
Protected union rights, expanded voting rights, raised the min wage, lowered prescription drug costs, prohibited LGBTQ discrimination, decriminalized marijuana, campaign finance reform, immigration reform & DC statehood.
With Democratic control of the federal government, we could theoretically pass an improved version of the MORE Act to end marijuana criminalization, expunge criminal records, and promote diverse and local ownership in the emerging legal cannabis marketplace.
— Justin Strekal (@justinstrekal) January 6, 2021
Lets. Fucking. Go. pic.twitter.com/IPL35fOyJv
NEW: Prospects for major federal #marijuana reform are poised to take a big step forward now that Democrats appear to be on course to take control of the U.S. Senate.https://t.co/BTVpV4kaYE
— Marijuana Business Daily (@MJBizDaily) January 6, 2021
Marijuana may be one of the truly bipartisan issues in the U.S. right now. The Democratic-controlled House also passed the MORE Act in early December, which would legalize marijuana at the federal level. https://t.co/PJYMzYt8l7 pic.twitter.com/v8j6fEN7FE
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 6, 2021
First 100 Days...
— Aarika Rhodes (@AarikaRhodes) January 6, 2021
-$2,000 Recurring Cash Relief + $$$ for Small Businesses
-Criminal Justice Reform + Legalize Marijuana
-Healthcare
Let’s be ambitious @JoeBiden
It is time to legalize marijuana and expunge the convictions of everyone who went to jail for it.
— Gravel Institute (@GravelInstitute) January 6, 2021
Marijuana will finally get decriminalized at the federal level. Historic pic.twitter.com/o7BVsHrZ0m
— Defeated Bean (@MJoeBean) January 6, 2021
