WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), joined by her colleague Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), introduced the Deferring Executive Authority (DEA) Act to give Congress final approval over the legalization of marijuana.
“Congress makes the laws in this country, not D.C. bureaucrats,” said Lummis. “The American people through their elected representatives in the Senate and House should have the final say on such a momentous change as the legalization of marijuana. The Biden administration’s rush to reschedule marijuana without compelling scientific evidence appears to be political, not about what’s best for the American people.”
“While I disagreed with marijuana being legalized in Montana, the people spoke at the ballot box and I respect that decision. However, I am firmly opposed to legalization or descheduling at the federal level without Congressional input,” Daines said.
BACKGROUND:
According to a recent report from the Congressional Research Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has signaled it will follow a recommendation issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to transfer marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This would, in essence, legalize marijuana federally.
This recommendation was issued after President Biden requested that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and HHS evaluate marijuana’s status as a Schedule I substance.
The Deferring Executive Authority (DEA) Act will require congressional review of rules rescheduling marijuana.
Click here to read the bill.
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