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The email He also asked members to indicate whether they would support the MORE Act before September 3.
Why is this important? No chamber of Congress has ever voted on removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.
“A floor vote on the bill would be the greatest achievement of federal cannabis reform in more than 50 years, ”said Randal Meyer of the Global Alliance for the Cannabis Trade.
What is the background? Cannabis is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which was enacted into law in 1970. Schedule I drugs are defined as having a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit. Removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act would mean that it is no longer illegal at the federal level, but it would not immediately legalize its sale in all states. State and federal agencies would still need to create rules and regulations for the production, marketing, and sale of cannabis products, and some states may not allow sales even if the federal ban is removed.
This bill, HR 3884 (116), was introduced by House Judiciary Speaker Jerry Nadler (DN.Y.) last fall and was approved by the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 24 to 10 in November. Representatives Matt Gaetz (Florida) and Tom McClintock (Calif.) Were the only Republicans on the committee who voted for the bill.
“Of course I intend to vote yes on the bill,” McClintock said Friday. “Regarding the timing, I find it ironic that the only small businesses Democrats seem to be concerned about are cannabis stores, but I would support this bill every time it comes up for a vote.”
Negotiations between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and the White House on a new coronavirus relief bill have gone nowhere in recent weeks.
The MORE Act is not the only bill that would remove cannabis from the CSA, but because it clears the records and creates grant funds to benefit individuals who have been adversely affected by criminal law enforcement, this Bill has garnered the most support from Democratic leadership and legalization. defenders.
“As people across the country protest racial injustices, there is an even greater urgency for Congress to seize this historic opportunity and finally align our cannabis laws with what the majority of Americans support, while ensuring restorative justice, “said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a longtime champion of marijuana legalization.
Does this mean that cannabis will be legal?? No, the chances of this bill passing in the Senate remain very slim, given the opposition of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. During this week’s Republican National Convention, speakers slammed Democrats for allegedly prioritizing marijuana sales during the pandemic over more important services like healthcare and religious gatherings.
Last November, Nadler dismissed concerns about possible Senate inaction. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to say that the Senate won’t accept this bill, so we shouldn’t pass it,” Nadler said. “What to do [so] in other words, the Senate governs the henhouse and the House does not matter. “
The main sponsor of the bill in the Senate is Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), The Democratic vice presidential candidate.
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