Members of the United States House of Representatives have reintroduced a bill aimed at decriminalizing marijuana. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021 looks to eliminate criminal penalties, expunge criminal records and create social equity programs for marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana.
This is not the first time that a bill like this has been introduced to Congress. In fact, the House voted to decriminalize marijuana last year. However, their efforts were stopped in the Senate not long thereafter.
“Since I introduced the MORE Act last Congress, numerous states across the nation, including my home state of New York, have moved to legalize marijuana,” Rep, Jerry Nadler said.
“Our federal laws must keep up with this pace.”
The bill is expected to pass through House in the coming months. If it does, it will have the support of Senators Cory Booker, Ron Wyden and Chuck Schumer. With an evenly divided Senate, the bill has a better chance of passing than it had last year. However, it’s still unclear if the change is enough to fully pass the bill.
The MORE Act is historic in scope. It would end the criminalization of cannabis for adults, eliminate related criminal penalties, and take several other major steps toward criminal justice reform, social justice, and economic development. https://t.co/BqYsO81ra6
— Marijuana Policy Project (@MarijuanaPolicy) May 28, 2021
