By
Angel Abcede,
WASHINGTON – Oregon
lawmakers have taken the lead on removing marijuana from the list of
federally banned drugs—a barrier many see as marijuana’s biggest hurdle
in the product becoming legal nationwide.
Last month, Sen. Ron
Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, both Oregon Democrats, introduced
legislation in their respective chambers that would take marijuana off
the list of federally banned drugs, tax marijuana at a rate similar to
alcohol and tobacco and end the threat of federal criminal penalties for
businesses operating in states that allow the use of pot for
recreational purposes, according to The Hill.
Banking would become
easier for marijuana businesses under the legislation as well, with the
proposals allowing companies access to the regulated-banking system.
Many banks currently refrain from opening accounts for marijuana
businesses because the federal government could seize the money.
Anti-legalization
advocates said the current balance between federal and state laws is
unsustainable, and that marijuana use remains a danger to public health.
Despite
the opposition, the proposals aren’t the only ones in Washington that
support legalizing marijuana use in the United States. Here are a few
more …
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