Schumer would also need to corner President Joe Biden — who has supported but not legalizing it — to sign the bill. Still, he’s projected confidence about his odds in the past. "The fact that every member will know once we introduce this legislation — not only that it's my support, but that it will come to the floor for a vote — is going to help move things forward in a very strong way," Schumer told a news agencg in April. Key policy details: The discussion draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act includes that cater to both “states rights” Republicans and progressive Democrats. While the proposal seeks to remove On the flip side, the proposal also includes provisions that are crucial to progressives. That includes three grant programs designed to help socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as those hurt by the war on drugs and expungements of federal non-violent cannabis offenses. States and cities also have to create an automatic expungement program for prior cannabis offenses to be eligible for any grant funding created by the bill. The uphill battle: The Senate's discussion draft is based partially on a bill that passed the Democratic-controlled House in December that sought to remove federal penalties on weed, expunge some criminal records and create a social equity grant program, among other things. But with the Senate in Republican hands at the time, legislation was viewed as a messaging bill and a way to gauge support for the issue. The House vote split mostly down party lines, with some defections among moderate Democrats who joined Republicans unmoved to support such broad reforms. Few Republicans voted for the bill — even Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chair GOP Rep. Dave Joyce of Ohio voted no because of concerns over expungements and the tax structure. Some Senate GOP Sens. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Steve Daines of Montana, who both represent states that have embraced recreational weed, remain opposed to federal legalization . But others, such as Sens. Kevin Cramer (N.D.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) have said they’re open to discussing federal reform that still allows states to choose their own policies — the needle Schumer, Booker and Wyden will likely have to What’s next: The discussion draft has not yet been formally introduced and needs input broadly from other legislators. Schumer, Wyden and Booker's offices are taking comment from legislators and the general public — including advocates, the cannabis industry, public health experts and the law enforcement community — until September 1. The bottom line: Federal weed legalization is dicey at best, especially given the more pressing concerns of infrastructure spending and pandemic recovery. Schumer said in April that "We'd certainly listen to some suggestions if that'll bring more people on board," Schumer said. "That is not to say we're going to throw overboard things like expungement of records — very important to us — and other things like that, just 'cause some people don't like it."