A bipartisan trio of senators has planned a Tuesday rollout for legislation to remove federal legal barriers to the use of medical marijuana.  

Democratic Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Cory Booker of New Jersey are set to join Kentucky Republican Rand Paul for the event, shortly after noon. The new bill would make it so that medical professionals and their patients involved in the use of marijuana and cannabidiol oils for medicinal purposes would not run the risk of running afoul of federal laws.  

The legislation drew predictable applause from advocates for easing restrictions on marijuana.  

“The bipartisan nature of this proposal reflects the broad public support for resolving the tension between state and federal marijuana laws. This is a proposal that Republicans and Democrats should both be able to get behind. It’s a matter of compassion and justice, states’ rights, public safety, and medical choice,” Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, said in a statement.  

“There is no rational reason to maintain laws that prevent doctors from recommending medical marijuana, prohibit seriously ill people from using it, and punishing those who provide it to them,” Riffle added.  

The legislation also lands during a time of strife between Congress and the District of Columbia over the city’s legalization of marijuana , which the legislative branch has sought to block.  

Related:

D.C. Stands Up to Congress on Marijuana Legalization


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