United States: Pressure mounts on Biden to legalize cannabis

The U.S. Senate will vote to legalize cannabis at the federal level, with or without President Joe Biden’s approval. That is the message sent by the Democratic majority leader in the Senate. For several months now, Chuck Schumer is fighting to get this bill passed. But the Democratic president remains silent and ambiguous about whether or not he intends to legalize it.

«The Senate is going to move forward. Joe Biden says he’s looking into the matter, so obviously, I’m giving him time to think it over. I’d like to get him on my side—that’s only natural. But at some point, we’ll move forward. Period,», Senator Schumer tells the magazine Politico.

An interview serving as a warning to the U.S. president: either you get on board, or you’ll watch it sail away without you. And even though Joe Biden’s signature is required to ratify a law, in the eyes of the public, the Senate is calling the shots on the issue of cannabis. Not the White House. An institution where In fact, some employees were recently fired for using cannabis in their youth.

Biden Closer to Decriminalization

It must be said that President Biden has remained vague about his willingness to legalize it. During the Democratic primary, Candidate Biden was the only one in his camp who did not support federal legalization. He had made a promise: «No one should be in prison simply for smoking or possessing marijuana.» Today, he seems closer to decriminalization.

So, decriminalization or legalization? For the senator, it’s clear, straightforward, and unambiguous. «I am personally in favor of legalization. And the bill I am sponsoring will move in that direction.», warns Chuck Schumer. This statement clarifies the senator's position, as he had previously mentioned a «decriminalization» in his public statements.

The ball is now in Biden’s court. He will have to respond to the statement made by his Senate Majority Leader. For now, the details of the bill are unknown. «We'll have to »Just wait and see!", Chuck Schumer quips. As for the timeline, he stands by what he said earlier: it will be «soon.».