The Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has voted largely along party lines in favor of decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Missouri’s Democratic members voted in support and Republicans voted against the plan. GOP Congresswoman Ann Wagner did not vote on the measure.
U.S. Capitol dome courtesy of the U.S. House
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, would remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances and create a process to eliminate low-level federal marijuana convictions and arrests. It would allow a 5% sales tax on marijuana products to invest in services like job training, legal aid and substance misuse treatment. The revenue would also provide funds for small businesses loans and allow access to marijuana licensing and employment for economically disadvantaged individuals.
Bill sponsor Jerry Nadler, a Democratic Congressman from New York says the longtime federal drug policy has been particularly felt by minorities because it has kept some of them from getting jobs.
Outgoing Congressman Lacy Clay, D-Missouri, says by passing the MORE Act, the House is taking a historic step towards finally ending the federal prohibition on marijuana, advancing criminal justice reform, and helping level the economic playing field.
The plan would still leave it up to states to decide whether to pass their…
