Congress Prepares to Vote on the MORE Act
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will make history when they hold a floor vote on the MORE Act, also known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act.
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What is the MORE Act and how does it impact our community?
The MORE Act removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act‘s list of harmful narcotics; eliminates criminal penalties for manufacturing, distribution, and possession; expunges low-level convictions; and imposes a 5 percent federal sales tax.
What does all of that mean?
It means that cannabis will be decriminalized at the federal level allowing states to determine their own policies - kind of a big deal!
“By advancing the MORE Act, the House of Representatives sends an unmistakable signal that America is ready to close the book marijuana prohibition...”
Who are the activists and advocates pushing for this to happen?
Many non-profit advocacy organizations have worked in collaboration to bring the MORE Act to the House floor, but we’re especially proud of the work of NORML, Drug Policy Alliance and the National Cannabis Industry Association, three of the founding organizations on the NCF Advocacy Committee.
“This floor vote represents the first Congressional roll call ever on the question of ending federal marijuana criminalization,” said NORML Political Director Justin Strekal. “By advancing the MORE Act, the House of Representatives sends an unmistakable signal that America is ready to close the book marijuana prohibition and end the senseless oppression and fear that this failed policy wreaks on otherwise law-abiding citizens.”
Wasn’t this supposed to happen back in September?
Yup. The MORE Act was initially scheduled to be voted on in the House back in September, but it was pushed back while congress worked on creating a COVID-19 aid package. Check out our September video chat “What the F&%* happened to the MORE Act” with Justin Strekal from NORML if you want to hear all the details.
“Times have changed — marijuana should not be a crime,””
What happens after the House vote?
After the House vote the MORE Act heads to the Senate where it faces a Republican majority still skeptical about the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has openly criticized the efforts towards the MORE Act.
It should be noted however, that one of the authors of the MORE Act is Senator and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. In a press release in 2019 she said, "Times have changed — marijuana should not be a crime. We need to start regulating marijuana, and expunge marijuana convictions from the records of millions of Americans so they can get on with their lives. As marijuana becomes legal across the country, we must make sure everyone — especially communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs — has a real opportunity to participate in this growing industry."
Want to support the MORE Act? Contact your representative today using the Action Alert toolkits provided by our advocacy partners below:
Drug Policy Alliance - Take Action
Marijuana Policy Project - Federal Action
National Cannabis Industry Association Action Alert