In an interview with Vice News, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that he’d seen “too many people’s lives ruined” by current marijuana laws, under which the drug has the same legal classification as heroin.

“First, I’ve seen too many lives and families ruined because of the criminalization of marijuana,” Schumer said in a statement to The Washington Post. “Too many people caught with small amounts have spent far too much time in jail. Second, this has had a disproportionate effect on communities of color. But the bottom line is it’s just the right thing to do. People should have this freedom.”…

“The bill lets the states decide, and be the laboratories that they ought to be,” said Schumer. “It also will ensure that minority and woman-owned businesses have a dedicated funding stream to help them compete against bigger companies in the marijuana business. Critically, we ensure that advertising can’t be aimed at kids, and put real funds behind research into the health effects of THC,” referring to the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana.