Sen.Bernie Sanders Introduces Bill to Legalize Pot

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a move that shows that he's got his finger on the pulse of freedom-loving Americans from hippies to millennials, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the popular Democratic presidential candidate, has just introduced a bill in the Senate to allow for the complete legalization of marijuana in all states that wish to do so. The bill, which has yet to receive an official bill number, is titled the "Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015"—the only place in the bill where the word "marijuana" is used, possibly because the federal laws the bill is intended to change all refer to the substance as "marihuana." The bill actually opens with a prohibition: People would not be allowed to "ship or transport ... marihuana, from one State, territory, or district of the United States ... into any other State, territory, or sistrict [sic] of the United States... in violation of any law of such State, territory, or district of the United States," the penalty for which would be up to one year in prison and/or a fine. The restriction would also apply to shipment or transportation from or to any place that is "subject to the jurisdiction" of the U.S. or any foreign country. That's (arguably) the bad news, although the restriction is nearly identical to laws prohibiting the shipment or transportation of cigarettes and alcohol—and considering how widespread pot use currently is, even in states where its use is completely banned, the new bill, if enacted, would probably decrease interstate shipment as more users and sellers try to obey the law and stay out of prison. The good news is that the bill would strike any reference to "marihuana" from the government's "Schedule of Controlled Substances" and the Controlled Substances Act itself, as well as the description "tetrahydrocannabinols," which are the active ingredients of marijuana. "The move could help Sanders further endear himself to younger voters as he seeks the Democratic presidential nomination," reported Tim Devaney of the congressional daily The Hill. "He became the first candidate from a major party to endorse marijuana legalization last week." "We need major changes in our criminal justice system—including changes in drug laws,” Sanders told students at Virginia's George Mason University last week. "Too many Americans have seen their lives destroyed because they have criminal records as a result of marijuana use. That’s wrong. That has got to change." Sanders' bill was lauded by Mason Tvert, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project as well as  Tom Angell, chairman of the Marijuana Majority. However, Sander's proposal may run up against another bill, the "Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act of 2015," sponsored by Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (NJ) and Kirstin Gillibrand (NY), as well as Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, himself also a presidential candidate. In fact, there are no less than 20 bills currently before Congress that might affect marijuana legalization, including ones that would tax the sale of the substance, prevent police and the courts from forfeiting the assets of marijuana users and sellers, and wipe clean the criminal records of those busted for using pot. Congrats, adult entertainment industry members who toke up: This could be your year!