Colorado Leads members last week met with U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who introduced the STATES Act with Massachusetts Democrat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act so states have the right to decide whether to legalize marijuana without facing repercussions from federal law enforcement.  

Gardner noted that the winds of change are moving slowly through Congress, but they are blowing in the right direction.  Senators who wouldn’t touch the issue a year or two ago are now open to discussing it. 

Gardner is also a co-sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act, which would prevent federal banking regulators from prosecuting banks for working with cannabis-related businesses that comply with state laws.