The RESPECT Resolution (H.R. 960) “Urging action to increase equity within cannabis policy and the legal cannabis marketplace”, has been filed by Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA).
The RESPECT (“Realizing Equitable & Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades) Resolution was filed in the US House of Representatives on Thursday, with the measure cosponsored by Congressmembers Alma Adams (NC), Janice “Jan” Schakowsky (IL), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA), Earl Blumenauer (OR), James “Jim” McGovern (MA), Eleanor Norton (DC) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ).
Congressmember Lee in a press release says the resolution “aims to elevate the importance of equity within the legal cannabis marketplace, address disparities and proactively address and repair the most egregious effects of the War on Drugs on communities of color””
Lee states that “Any legislation Congress puts forth on cannabis must incorporate both economic and reparative justice. This bill ensures that disenfranchised communities will be able to benefit equally in the emerging legal and regulated industry.”
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, says that “As more states move to legalize cannabis, the imperative for the federal government to act grows even greater. It is especially critical that legalization fully addresses the harm unleashed on communities of color. We must ensure there is equitable access to the growing multi-billion-dollar cannabis industry”.
Lee’s press release states that “Currently, thirty states and the District of Columbia allow access to medical cannabis and nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult use. However, due to the economic and legal impact of racially-targeted cannabis prohibition, communities of color have largely been shut out of benefitting from legalization. It is estimated that less than 1 percent of cannabis businesses are owned by African Americans, due to application and licensing fees, bans on individuals with drug arrest and conviction histories, and severely limited access to loans and capitol for cannabis business.”
The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.
