Democrats in Congress introduce decriminalization bill for all drugs, not just weed
4Reported today on The Verge
For the full article visit: https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/15/22533396/democrats-congress-decriminalization-marijuana-drug-policy-reform-act
Reported today in The Verge.
Democrats in Congress introduce decriminalization bill for all drugs, not just weed
US Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) are introducing a bill today that would decriminalize not just cannabis but all drug possession, in favor of what they're calling a "health-centered approach."
The Drug Policy Reform Act (DRPA) would end criminal penalties for "personal use" drug possession at the federal level, expunge criminal records, and shift the regulatory authority from the attorney general to the secretary of Health and Human Services, "to emphasize that substance use is a health issue and not a criminal issue."
Under the act, people could still face fines for drug possession, but a court could waive the fine if the person is unable to pay. The act would require HHS to establish a commission on substance abuse, health, and safety to determine the "benchmark" amount for personal use drug possession.
It would also limit state and local governments from being able to receive funds under the Byrne and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant programs - both of which help fund state and local police departments - if they don't adopt decriminalization policies.
"Growing up in St. Louis, I saw the crack-cocaine epidemic rob my community of so many lives," Bush said in a statement. "It's time to put wellness and compassion ahead of trauma and punishment."
Under the DPRA, a criminal drug possession charge would not be grounds to deny someone employment or to terminate an employee. It also would prevent drug charges and convictions from being used as grounds to deny someone federal assistance benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and housing a