Update on Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would expunge federal non-violent marijuana crimes to petition a court for resentencing, reinvest federal cannabis tax revenue into communities historically afflicted by the “War on Drugs,” and ultimately end the federal prohibition of cannabis, while allowing states to continue to determine their own cannabis laws. WRITTEN BY: McGuireWoods Consulting Contact Ryan Bernstein Scott Binkley On Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) released draft legislation titled the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. Today, adult use of cannabis, which is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), is legal in 18 states, and the medical use of cannabis is legal in 37 states, though cannabis use remains illegal under federal law. The Draft would also direct the Dep. of Health and Human Services to research the effects of cannabis on health conditions. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to continue to include cannabis for purposes of drug testing of Federal employees.