Chuck Schumer’s Federal Legalization Bill Introduced to the Senate
WASHINGTON – The long-awaited Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA) was finally introduced to the Senate Thursday after being unveiled to the industry by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) last year. The CAOA would decriminalize cannabis on a federal level — a crucial step leading up to the federal legalization for which so many operators and consumers are holding out hope. The bill would also allow states to set comprehensive cannabis laws without operators experiencing constant worry over federal intervention. This would-be dream-come-true has been a long time coming, as Schumer proposed the draft alongside Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) over a year ago. Many also believe the odds of it passing the Senate are slim, facing an uphill battle with little reward for cannabis. “Although we see the long-awaited introduction of CAOA as another positive sign for eventual federal cannabis reform, the Democrat-proposed bill will have a tough time passin...