The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act
UPDATE 11/20/19: Washington, DC. For the first time in history, a congressional committee has approved a bill to end federal marijuana prohibition. The House Judiciary Committee passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act in a 24-10 vote on Wednesday, setting the stage for a full floor vote.
The MORE Act is gaining traction in Congress. An important Judiciary Committee vote is scheduled to take place on November, 20th, 2019.
All cannabis advocates are encouraged to contact your congressional representative through NORML’s automated letter forwarding service so you can make your voice be heard.
NORML, Washington DC: The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act (HR 3884 / S. 2227) is bipartisan legislation that removes marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, thus decriminalizing the substance at the federal level and enabling states to set their own policies.
The Act would also make several other important changes. For example, it permits physicians affiliated with the Veterans Administration to make medical marijuana recommendations to qualifying veterans who reside in legal states and it incentivizes states to move ahead with expungement policies that will end the stigma and lost opportunities suffered by those with past, low-level cannabis convictions. If approved, the MORE Act also allows the Small Business Administration to support entrepreneurs and businesses as they seek to gain a foothold in this emerging industry.
The MORE Act is the most comprehensive marijuana reform bill ever introduced in the US Congress. Crafted by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY) and carried in the Senate by Sen. Kamala Harris (CA), the bill is backed by a broad coalition of civil rights, criminal justice, drug policy, and immigration groups.