Senate Majority Leader Pushing to Legalize Cannabis in 2021

Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced he would make it a priority to push for sweeping reform to end federal prohibition of cannabis in 2021. With Democrats holding a narrow majority — and Vice President Kamala Harris as the potential tie-breaker — reform that had long stalled in the Senate suddenly had a chance at revival.



In the House, measures like the MORE Act (to decriminalize cannabis) and the SAFE Banking Act (to let banks serve cannabis businesses) had already advanced. But Schumer, joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), proposed going further — not just legalizing, but also taxing and regulating cannabis, and channeling revenue into communities most harmed by the War on Drugs.

Still, there were obstacles. Although only 51 votes are needed to pass a bill, the Senate filibuster means 60 votes are required to end debate. That would demand support from at least 10 Republicans, which seemed unlikely at the time. Only a handful of GOP senators had backed previous reform bills, and even some moderate Democrats were hesitant.

With midterm elections looming — and Mitch McConnell just one seat away from reclaiming control — Schumer and allies had limited time to draft a bill that could secure bipartisan support. But as the piece concluded, if 2020 proved anything, it’s that anything can happen.

MORE Act

SAFE Banking Act