Back on April 19th, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer shocked the political world when he announced he was introducing his own bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. While many publications wrote glowing headlines stating the bill was going to be introduced on 4/20 – the nation's unofficial weed holiday – here we are, two months later, and there's still no bill.
Earlier this month at a Capitol Hill press conference, Rolling Stone asked Schumer when we could expect his long-awaited bill. "It will be introduced shortly," he said briskly, before dismissively moving on to other reporter's questions.
Since then, the leader's staff has been working with marijuana experts and Rolling Stone has learned his staff has told at least three advocates that the legislation will be introduced this month, though Schumer's staff still refuses to publicly confirm what they've assured advocates privately.
But advocates say the legislation could be be groundbreaking. They say it includes a new provision creating a much needed fund to help more minorities and women enter the multibillion-dollar marijuana industry, while also funding research on the health effects of pot. They also say it gives the federal government control over marijuana advertising and it funds studies on impaired driving. These advocates are still trying to get Schumer to make last-minute tweaks before he drops his bill, but they're just glad his staff has started devoting attention to it.