The House on Friday passed decisive marijuana bills at the federal level, aimed at reducing racial disparities in drug arrests. The move, which would remove marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances and erode federal recognition for non-violent marijuana offenses, now goes to the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass.
The House passed the Cannabis Fertility Reinvestment and Exploitation (MORE) Act by 228 to 164 votes, with six Democrats voting against it and five Republicans voting for it. Florida Congressman Matt Gates was the only Republican to co-sponsor the bill, with more than 100 Democratic sponsors.
Gerold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who introduced the House Judiciary Committee chair, said the long-delayed law would counter the failed federal cannabis criminalization policy and reach out to colored communities across the country. The bill, more said in a statement after the law was passed.
According to a report by the American Civil Liberties Union passed this year, black Americans, despite similar usage rates, are more likely to be arrested in marijuana cases than White. more times. However, ACLU data also found that in some states, there is racial inequality in the arrest of those who have legalized or denied marijuana.
In a speech on the House floor ahead of the vote, Democratic Congressman Hakim Jeffries said he hoped the move would help reduce America’s large captive population.
“The United States captures more people than any other country in the world. We have ruined lives, families and communities. It is a stain on our democracy,” Jeffries said. “The use of marijuana is either socially acceptable behavior or it is criminal behavior. But while some departments may not have socially acceptable behavior and other neighbors may not have criminal behavior, there is a dividing line membership.”
However, while Democrats see decision-making as an important criminal justice issue, most Senate Republicans are unwilling to consider it. In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell questioned why House Democrats are voting on a bill to decriminalize marijuana instead of focusing on coronavirus relief.
“The House of Representatives is spending this week on issues like marijuana. Marijuana. You know, the national crisis will benefit from serious and important legislation,” McConnell said sarcastically.
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Friday that “the House has taken a historic step toward ending the federal ban on housing.”
“Today’s bipartisan vote shows how far that movement has come. I am encouraged by the action taken by the House and I also encourage my colleagues in the Senate to support this effort,” Schumer said.
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