If passed, the law would allow for expungement of federal convictions related to marijuana and it would allow for re-sentencing hearings for those incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses. The bill also would establish a Community Reinvestment Fund of at least $500 million, which would provide for grants go to those communities most affected by the war on drugs.
Of course, since this legislation was just introduced yesterday, it has a long way to go before it can become law. It will likely face a lot of opposition. As noted, Attorney General Sessions has previously called for increased prosecution of federal marijuana crimes, including stiffer penalties. That said, the electorate seems more ready than ever to accept marijuana as legal. In fact, an April Quinnipiac University poll showed that 60 percent of Americans supported full marijuana legalization, while 94 percent favored medical marijuana. In the same poll, 76 percent of Americans favored removing marijuana from Schedule I and 73 percent opposed increased federal enforcement of marijuana laws.
