WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats, led by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, have renewed their years-long effort to end the federal ban on cannabis.
Even as states like New Jersey have legalized the drug, it remains illegal under federal law. Under President Donald Trump, legal cannabis for medical uses was reclassified to Schedule III, still against federal law but no longer placed in the same category as heroin, which will make it easier to research any medicinal benefits.
The legislation would no longer make cannabis illegal under federal law and instead leave the decision to the states.
The bill was introduced by Booker, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Finance Committee.
It would expunge past convictions for some convictions, resentence others convicted of drug-related crimes, and help communities ravaged by arrests for possession of pot.
“For decades, generations have suffered unjustly under the failed War on Drugs and broken cannabis laws—hurting primarily people of color. It is long overdue that we stand up for them,” Booker said.
Schumer joined the effort when he led the Senate, but even his clout wasn’t enough to get the bill through the chamber and signed into law during President Joe Biden’s administration. The U.S. House did pass such legislation.
McIver pushes back against Trump proposal on federal grants
Rep. LaMonica McIver has joined two other House members in trying to kill President Donald Trump’s efforts to let the administration unilaterally decide which groups can get federal grants.
McIver (D-Newark) joined Reps. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) in urging the Office and Management and Budget to scrap the proposed rule.
They said the proposed rule would give political appointees a greater say in making funding decisions, allow the terms and conditions of the money to be changed even if the work has started, and place new limits on funds for training, conferences and other expenses.
The lawmakers, members of the Congressional Community Safety Caucus, warned that the proposal would create instability for federal grantees such as states and nonprofits, who rely on guaranteed funding for their programs.
“The proposed changes pose a significant financial risk and could create instability for federal grantees, including nonprofits, making it more difficult for them to serve their communities,” the lawmakers wrote.
They cited the community violence intervention programs that have been credited with helping to reduce violent crime last year by 21%, including a 32% drop in homicides.
“The reduction in crime across the country is not an accident; instead, it is due to local governments and community leaders investing in and implementing strategies that work, such as CVI programs,” they wrote.
Pou questions treatment of Muslim detainees at IRE facilities
More than two dozen House Democrats, led by Rep. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) is asking the Department of Homeland Security to respond to reports that Muslim detainees beind held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are being deprived of Qurans, prayer mats, halal meals and other accommodations.
“The alarming actions by ICE in denying individuals their civil rights continues a disturbing practice by your agency in violating DHS’s own policies, in addition to the law, that must be immediately rectified,” the lawmakers said in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Besides Pou, New Jersey lawmakers signing the letter included McIver, Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), Frank Pallone Jr. (D-Long Branch), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing).
“Individuals practicing their faith must be given reasonable accommodations – full stop,” they wrote. “Accordingly, we are demanding ICE take immediate action to ensure that all Muslim detainees have unimpeded access to their requested religious accommodations”
The members cite several reports alleging denial of religious freedom at ICE detention facilities. (“These reports, and others indicating disparate treatment in accommodating other religious requests by Muslim detainees, raise grave concerns over ICE infringing on their right to exercise their religion while in detention.”)
Congresswoman Pou has been one of Congress’s leading voices demanding greater oversight and accountability at ICE detention facilities. She has conducted multiple inspections of Delaney Hall in Newark, where she spoke directly with detainees and questioned facility officials about medical care, sanitation, language access, and other conditions inside the facility.
Following those visits, she called for Delaney Hall to be closed after hearing firsthand accounts of unacceptable and inhumane treatment.
Pou has also been a leading advocate for Leqaa Kordia, a Paterson, New Jersey resident who spent more than a year in ICE detention. She repeatedly pressed DHS and ICE for information about Kordia’s detention and condition, questioned ICE’s head directly during a congressional hearing, and worked with her legal team until Kordia was finally freed earlier this year. Following her release, Congresswoman Pou welcomed Kordia home to New Jersey.
