Holds office U.S. Senate
Senator Kaine has supported the federal legalization of marijuana. He has also supported the right of cannabis companies to access banking institutions.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to introduce a bill to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, leaving the decision about legalization in states’ hands. Specifically, the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal level. The legislation allows states to continue to decide how they will treat marijuana possession. The legislation, however, does not change federal authorities’ ability to prevent trafficking from states where marijuana is legal to states where is not.
“This bill makes commonsense reforms to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level so states can make their own decisions about what’s best for them and what’s best for their own local economies,” Kaine said. “This is also about easing the long injustice of laws that have disproportionately affected minority communities. I’m hopeful that with these reforms, states will correct some of those harsh punishments where they see fit.”
"Tim has also led efforts in the Senate to combat drug addiction, including the opioid and heroin epidemic that threatens Virginia and the rest of the country. He believes new treatments, including medical marijuana, can help address this crisis, and he has fought to expand federal funding for states, like Virginia, to dedicate new resources for drug treatment and prevention.”
“Senator Kaine is open to commonsense changes to marijuana laws and recently co-sponsored bills to expand research looking into the medical benefits of marijuana, including a focus on whether it’s a safe alternative to opioids.”
S.1552 - Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act
S.445 - Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act 2019-2020
Senator Kaine has stated “No business operating legally and safely should feel the need to conduct their business in all-cash out of fear of unfair penalization from the federal government, it is about time we pass the SAFE Banking Act and ensure that all legal cannabis businesses have access to the financial services they deserve to support their businesses and keep their communities safe.” (4/28/23)
In response to a Virginian voter, Sen. Kaine said: "It is my hope that Congress will soon consider commonsense reforms to marijuana laws." He is one of the few members of the Senate who have previously cosponsored bills to end federal prohibition. (8/17/21)
Since receiving a “C” rating from NORML, Senator Kaine has cosponsored the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act, calling for the end of federal prohibition and decriminalizing marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act.