Cory Booker: “I rise today to speak about the introduction of the bipartisan Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect…”

“I rise today to speak about the introduction of the bipartisan Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act, or CARERS Act. The bill would make our Federal laws dealing with medical marijuana fairer and help ensure that Americans have access to the care they need. I am proud to introduce this legislation, and I want to thank Senators Rand Paul and Kirsten Gillibrand for working with me on this bill. I also want to thank Senators Lisa Murkowski, Al Franken, and Mike Lee for joining the CARERS Act as original cosponsors and Representatives Steve Cohen and Don Young for introducing a House companion bill. Right now, regardless of whether you are in a State that has legalized medical marijuana, it is illegal under Federal law. This inconsistency puts growers, distributors, and patients at great risk of Federal prosecution even though they are in compliance with State law. In 2013, the Department of Justice issued guidance to Federal prosecutors to refrain from prosecuting individuals that use, purchase, or sell marijuana in States where it is legal as long as a State regulatory framework exists that maintains certain standards, such as a ban on sales to minors. As a result of this guidance, more and more States have taken steps to legalize medical marijuana.…”