Rep. Newman says it’s ‘about time’ to decriminalize marijuana

Congressional Democrats proposed decriminalizing pot at the federal level

marie newman, congress — U.S. Rep. Marie Newman, D-La Grange, speaks to a small group of constituents at Deer Crossing Park in Romeoville on March 29, 2021. (Alex Ortiz)

July 21, 2021 at 12:00 pm CDT

U.S. Rep. Marie Newman said it’s “about time” to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.

Newman, D-La Grange, made the comment in a Facebook post last week in reaction to a story about some Democratic members of the Senate proposing to reverse the federal prohibition of marijuana.

“It’s about time,” Newman wrote. “I plan to proudly vote yes on this legislation when it comes to the House floor.”

Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act last week. Schumer said in a social media post that the bill aimed to end the federal prohibition on the drug and “repair the harms done by the war on drugs.”

Some states, including Illinois, have decriminalized or legalized the use and distribution of marijuana.