Bipartisan Senate Bill Could Reschedule Cannabis

A landmark bill has been submitted by three U.S. Senators that would mark yet another highly significant win for cannabis culture in this ever-changing time in marijuana history. Republican Senator Rand Paul and Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand have all banded together to introduce The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act.

The bill would end the federal ban on cannabis and reduce its status from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule II substance. With these changes, researchers would have more access to the plant for experiments, physicians could openly recommend cannabis as treatment and banks would be able to legally provide service to businesses.

“This bipartisan legislation allows states to set their own medical marijuana policies and ends the criminalization of patients, their families, and the caregivers and dispensary owners and employees who provide them their medicine,” said Michael Collins, the policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance.

During a live stream held today, patients came forward to express the urgent need for the the shift in cannabis policy. They shared their personal stories, recounting the numerous treatments they’ve attempted before coming to cannabis as a healing aid. The tales pain, loss of mobility, spasms and nausea shed light to the importance of providing safe, legal access to cannabis.

“The voices of families and veterans and others affected are the most powerful and speak to the common sense of this legislation,” Booker proudly said.

What do you think? Should cannabis be rescheduled? Tell us in the comments below.