Maybe we should start calling him Sen. Ron “Weeden” because Wyden just introduced a bill, S. 420, which would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana at the federal level.
“The federal prohibition of marijuana is wrong, plain and simple. Too many lives have been wasted, and too many economic opportunities have been missed,” Wyden said in a statement. “It’s time Congress make the changes Oregonians and Americans across the country are demanding.”
Furthermore, the proposed bill would reduce federal barriers that affect marijuana businesses. This includes banking, declaring bankruptcy, research and advertising. Marijuana consumers would be able to access federal affordable housing or federal financial aid for higher education.
Of course, there’s a downside to de-scheduling: taxes. The legislation would impose a federal tax on weed products similar to what is placed on tobacco and alcohol.
The legislation is a part of a broader package introduced in the Senate by Wyden and in the House of Representatives by Rep. Earl Blumenauer. This includes The Small Business Tax Equity Act, which would treat state-legal marijuana businesses like other small businesses by repealing the federal law that prevents claiming deductions and tax credits.
The package also includes a bill that reduces the gap between federal and state law by removing federal criminal penalties and civil asset forfeiture for individuals and businesses following state law.
The ACLU says police departments use forfeiture to increase cash revenue, which encourages seizures motivated by cash rather than preserving public safety.
Blumenauer calls Oregon the leader of “commonsense” marijuana policies and says the federal government must catch up.
“The American people have elected the most pro-cannabis Congress in American history and significant pieces of legislation are being introduced,” he said in a statement. “The House is doing its work and with the help of Sen. Wyden’s leadership in the Senate, we will break through.”
Despite being a “pro-cannabis” Congress, the two legislators still have to convince Republicans and President Donald Trump, who has said in the past he supports ending the ban. However, Trump’s actions, especially in nominating Jeff Sessions, an anti-weed attorney general, have sent a different message.
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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