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'Legalize, don't decriminalize': Chuck Schumer slammed for marijuana tweet, Internet wants Congress 'drug tested'

With the November elections only a few weeks away, five states are hoping to receive a green wave with regard to the legalization of cannabis

The legalization of marijuana has been a highly debated subject. Even though the recreational drug has been legalized in a couple of states in the US, many are still working towards making the sale and usage of it legal in their respective regions. With the November elections only a few weeks away, five states are hoping to receive a green wave with regard to the legalization of cannabis. According to CNN reports,  New Jersey, Arizona, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Montana are hoping to win big with the proposal for legalization of use and sale of marijuana on the ballot for the November 3 vote. 

In 2016, the initiative to legalize marijuana in Arizona was defeated by the Grand Canyon residents, as 51.3% of the voters were against the proposal to legalize recreational cannabis. Proposition 207, which is is set to be presented during the upcoming elections includes the support of multi-state cannabis producers and retailers such as the Tempe, Arizona-based Harvest Health & Recreation (HRVSF) and firms such as Curaleaf (CURLF) and Cresco Labs (CRLBF), who have cultivation and retail operations in the medical cannabis industry. The new proposition, similar to 2016’s measure, will allow adults over 21 years to possess, consume and transfer up to 1 ounce of cannabis and create a system for its cultivation and sale. 

Meanwhile, New Jersey is aiming at the approval of Public Question No. 1, which would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older. The recreational products will reportedly be subject to state sales tax. South Dakota voters will decide on Measure 26, which will allow the medical cannabis program and registration program for individuals with qualifying conditions. While Amendment A will look into legalizing cannabis for all adults and require state legislators to adopt medical and hemp laws. 

Montana’s initiative Ballot issue 1-190 would allow adults in the state to buy possess and use cannabis for recreational use, while separate initiative CI-118 will establish 21 as the legal age to purchase, possess and consume cannabis. Mississippi, one of the most populous states among all five has come up with the Initiative 65 which will allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis for patients with any of 22 qualifying conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

While the states are coming up with various measures to decriminalize marijuana, a significant number of them are seen rallying for it to be legalized. New York senator Chuck Schumer tweeted on September 15, "The time has come to decriminalize marijuana in this country." Soon, people slamming Schumer for his statement. Responding to the above tweet, notable filmmaker and entrepreneur Adam Best from Texas wrote, "Legalize it. Decriminalizing it isn’t enough, especially when two-thirds of all voters think marijuana should be legal." Responding to Best's tweet one wrote, "Drug test the congress people, Chuck Schumer sounds high."

Although the latest measures towards legalization of marijuana would largely benefit in terms of revenue and help generate employment, social media is of the opinion that the recreational drug should be legalized as decriminalizing it alone wouldn't be enough.  One wrote, "Why is it always decriminalize? Why can’t you just legalize this sh*t. Tell me one answer, why can alcohol be legal but not Marijuana? No one smokes a joint and beats their wife, no one smokes a joint and crashes their car into some kids, so tell me why?" Another user added, "Legalize weed and expunge the records of everyone convicted of marijuana use or possession. empty the jails, reparations to those who were oppressed for so long."

Meanwhile, a few Twitter users have opined that the federal government is considering the move for their personal benefit. One tweeted, "The only reason the fed govmnt would legalize is to A) attract a bigger voter base B) regulate the shit out of it so eventually they can be the only producers and profiteers. You honestly think they would just let small people make profit? No. That will be reserved for their pals". Adding to the previous tweet another wrote, "Democrats are all like, "we can get more people to believe us if we get them high".