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S. 597 116th Congress Senate

Marijuana Justice Act of 2019

Official title: A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for a new rule regarding the application of the Act to marihuana, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 28, 2019 Introduced by: Cory A. Booker Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Civil actions and liabilityCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencing
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Drug trafficking and controlled substancesEmployment and training programsHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHousing and community development fundingLaw enforcement administration and fundingState and local government operationsTrade restrictions
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 28, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 28, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action February 28, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Marijuana Justice Act of 2019

This bill decriminalizes marijuana.

Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who imports, exports, manufactures, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute marijuana.

Additionally, the bill does the following:

  • reduces federal funds for a state that has not legalized marijuana and has a disproportionate arrest rate or a disproportionate incarceration rate for marijuana offenses,
  • directs federal courts to expunge convictions for marijuana use or possession, and
  • establishes a fund—the Community Reinvestment Fund—to support grants in communities most affected by the war on drugs.
 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 1456 Identical bill Marijuana Justice Act of 2019
  • HR 1893 Next Step Act of 2019
  • S 697 Next Step Act of 2019
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Democratic 6 Independent 1
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Sep 26, 2019
 D
Bennet, Michael F.
Colorado · Feb 28, 2019
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · Feb 28, 2019
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · Feb 28, 2019
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Feb 28, 2019
 D
Warren, Elizabeth
Massachusetts · Feb 28, 2019
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Feb 28, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 597: Marijuana Justice Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-597/
MLA
"S. 597: Marijuana Justice Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-597/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 597, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-597/.
Markdown link
[S. 597: Marijuana Justice Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-597/)
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