Chuck Schumer Wishes Americans A ‘Happy 420’—But Here’s Why Marijuana Will Likely Stay Illegal For Now

Topline

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is again signaling his support for marijuana legalization—wishing Americans a “Happy 420” on Tuesday, unofficially recognizing the unofficial holiday centered on recreational marijuana smoking—but here’s why a full legalization effort remains a daunting prospect in Congress.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) gives a thumbs up after leaving the Senate … [+] chamber at the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2021 in Washington. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Getty Images Key Facts

Schumer on Tuesday afternoon called 4/20 an “unofficial holiday” while speaking on the Senate floor, saying he hopes marijuana prohibition will end by April 20 of next year.

Schumer also sent out a tweet wishing Americans a “Happy 420,” though many legalization advocates mocked the gesture, noting Schumer still hasn’t brought a marijuana legalization bill to the Senate floor.

In February, Schumer announced he was working on a bill with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to end marijuana prohibition at the federal level, but no bill has been introduced and no details have been released on what specific reforms would look like.

What To Watch For

A marijuana legalization bill would likely face the same stonewall as many other major Democratic proposals—the Senate filibuster, meaning a bill would need the support of all Democrats and at least 10 Republican Senators to pass. It’s unlikely a bill could gather enough Republican votes. Still, lobbying efforts are targeting  Libertarian-leaning senators like Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), among those advocates believe could support legalization.

Crucial Quote

“Hopefully, the next time this unofficial holiday, 4/20, rolls around, our country will have made progress in addressing the massive overcriminalization of marijuana in a meaningful and comprehensive way,” Schumer said.

Key Background

Laws against marijuana have become much looser at the state and local levels across much of the U.S., even though marijuana continues to remain illegal at the federal level. While 14 states have legalized recreational marijuana, some 34 allow at least for medicinal marijuana use. Legalization advocates had been hopeful Democrats having control of the White House and both chambers of Congress would allow for swift action, but little action has taken place so far. Biden said during his campaign he supports decriminalizing marijuana.

Tangent

The Biden administration has actually come under fire from marijuana advocates after it was revealed last month that five White House staffers were “no longer employed” because of marijuana use. Dozens of other staffers were reportedly suspended or put in a remote work program because of past marijuana usage.

Further Reading

Senator Schumer Says Bill To End Federal Cannabis Prohibition To Come ‘Shortly’ (Forbes)

5 White House Staffers Fired Over Marijuana Use, Psaki Confirms (Forbes)

Welcome To The Last Illegal 420 (Forbes)