Two new bills — one aimed at expunging criminal records, the other at regulating CBD in food and drinks — show cannabis reform, unlike nearly every other issue facing Americans, is backed by both Republicans and Democrats.
Long-needed standards for CBD
The CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act, is a bipartisan-sponsored bill designed to regulate the marketing of CBD-containing food and drinks, which have been legal since 2018, reports Marijuana Moment. The act would require the FDA to develop standards on packaging, marketing and solicit feedback on the maximum amount of CBD food or drinks should contain per serving.
“CBD products are exploding in popularity, but the lack of federal regulation surrounding them has put consumers at risk and left businesses looking for clarity,” said Reps. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) said in a statement. The bill is also sponsored by Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).
Signs of HOPE
Sponsored by Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement (HOPE) Act is designed to encourage local and state governments to expunge cannabis-related convictions through federal grants, writes Marijuana Moment. Those funds, proposed at $2 million/year from 2023 to 2032, would cover associated administrative costs.
‘Growing consensus’
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)’s political director applauded the support for the HOPE act from both sides of the aisle.
“This bipartisan effort represents the growing consensus to reform marijuana policies in a manner that addresses the harms inflicted by prohibition,” he said. “There is no justification for continuing to prevent tens of millions of Americans from fully participating in their community and workforce simply because they bear the burden of a past marijuana conviction.”
