Federal Weed Legalization?! House Bill Sparks Hope (Again!)
House Dems Push for Federal Marijuana Legalization: Will It Pass?
A group of Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives has reintroduced a bill aiming to legalize marijuana at the federal level. This marks the fourth consecutive legislative session that Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York has spearheaded this effort, introducing the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.
The MORE Act seeks to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), effectively legalizing marijuana nationwide. This would allow individual states to determine their own cannabis policies, including the option to maintain prohibition. The proposed legislation also outlines regulations for commercial cannabis activities and imposes a federal excise tax on marijuana products, starting at 5% and increasing to 8% after five years.
"As more states continue to legalize marijuana and public support increases, federal laws must catch up and reverse failed policies criminalizing marijuana," said Rep. Nadler in a statement. He emphasized the need to decriminalize marijuana federally, expunge past convictions, facilitate resentencing, and reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.
Key Provisions of the MORE Act:
- Removes cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act.
- Allows states to regulate cannabis as they see fit.
- Imposes a federal excise tax on marijuana products.
- Establishes regulations for commercial cannabis activity, including packaging and labeling requirements.
The bill faces an uncertain future in Congress, but the continued push for federal legalization reflects growing public support and the increasing number of states that have already legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use. The outcome will significantly impact the cannabis industry and criminal justice reform efforts across the country.