Marijuana

Colorado set the standard for legalized cannabis

Senator Hickenlooper believes it’s time for the federal government to follow Colorado’s lead and fix our federal cannabis laws. During his time as Governor, Colorado set the standard for legalization by quickly and efficiently implementing the will of voters. The results have been overwhelmingly positive. Senator Hickenlooper believes Congress should follow suit and remove cannabis from Schedule I classification. 

Recently, the DEA took a step in the right direction by rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. But it was just that: a step. Marijuana should be descheduled altogether. And it’s critical we’re prepared for that change at the federal level when it happens. That’s why Senator Hickenlooper introduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act to establish a federal commission, modeled after Colorado’s regulatory commission, to advise the government on proper safeguards for federal cannabis legalization. He also co-sponsors the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, which would remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances and empower states to create their own laws. 

The cannabis industry spurs economic growth for Colorado and other states that have legalized marijuana. Cannabis businesses are small businesses that fuel local economies and create new jobs. Senator Hickenlooper supports extending Small Business Administration lending programs and other resources to cannabis businesses. Because the lack of banking services for the cannabis industry forces them into cash-only operations, creating more opportunity for crime and disadvantages legitimate businesses, Hickenlooper also supports passing the bipartisan Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act (SAFER) Banking Act, which he co-sponsors and which has already passed the Senate Banking Committee. This bill would allow legal cannabis businesses to access critical banking services, like bank accounts, credit cards, and checks, without fear of retribution by federal regulators. The bill would also extend protections to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions, who focus on serving marginalized communities.

Because communities of color have suffered disproportionately from cannabis prohibition, Hickenlooper supports criminal justice reform related to decriminalizing marijuana and sentencing relief for people – disproportionately Black men – who have been imprisoned for nonviolent marijuana crimes. We must also ensure that people of color can participate in the emerging cannabis marketplace.

Our current cannabis laws also impair our ability to research the public health and safety impacts of cannabis. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Hickenlooper passed an amendment directing the federal government to recommend ways for researchers to access marijuana samples and study how marijuana impairs driving. This was one of the first provisions on THC to pass Congress and become law.