Historic Move: Congressional Committee Removes Cannabis Use As Barrier To Fed Jobs, Schumer Advances Banking Reform

On Wednesday, members of the House of Representatives Oversight and Accountability Committee voted 30-14 in favor of bipartisan legislation known as the Cannabis Users’ Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act, which was introduced by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD).

The legislation would prevent prior marijuana use from becoming grounds for being found unsuitable for federal employment or failing to receive security clearance. The CURE Act will also allow someone who has previously been denied a security clearance or a federal job opportunity based on marijuana use the chance to have the denial reviewed.

“The bipartisan passage of the CURE Act through the Oversight Committee moves the federal government towards recognizing the widely established legal use of medical and recreational cannabis,” Raskin said. 

Prior to passing the bill, House members adopted an amendment from committee chair James Comer (R-KY) and supported by  Nancy Mace (R-SC), to scale back certain provisions. They successfully proposed that employment protections would be reserved only for those who once consumed marijuana, while those who are consuming at the moment should not be eligible for either federal employment or security clearance.

NORML Responds

"While it is disappointing that the Committee did not see fit to stop federal agencies from discriminating against those responsible adults and patients who are current consumers of cannabis," said NORML’s political director Morgan Fox, "this legislation will nonetheless open up new opportunities to millions of Americans, increase the talent pool available to federal employers, and ultimately make our country safer.”

Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer Advances Cannabis Banking Reform

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the revised marijuana banking bill and says he'll also attempt to attach legislation on cannabis expungements and gun rights for medical marijuana patients.

The cannabis banking bill now being called the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act is set for a Senate committee markup on September 27.

After the SAFER Banking Act was filed on Wednesday, Schumer released a statement praising the bipartisan agreement.  

“For too long, the federal government has continued to punish marijuana users and business owners – even when doing so is actively harmful to our country. This ‘war on drugs’ has turned into a war on people and communities – specifically people and communities of color – and a war on business."

Schumer reiterated his advocacy for expungement. "I’ve long advocated for expungement of records for cannabis offenses, and with SAFER Banking moving through the committee in such a strong, bipartisan way, I believe now is the time to get it done."

These crucial issues will be on everyone's mind at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on September 27 and 28. All information is available on bzcannabis.com. Join us at the epicenter of cannabis investment, culture, politics and branding.