House lawmakers have reintroduced a bipartisan cannabis expungement bill that aims to clear criminal records for individuals who have been convicted of non-violent federal cannabis offenses. The bill, known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, was first introduced in 2019 but failed to pass in the Senate.
The MORE Act is sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and co-sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). The bill has also gained support from Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA).
The MORE Act would remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances, expunge federal cannabis convictions, and establish a trust fund to support communities that have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. The bill would also impose a 5% tax on cannabis sales, with revenue going towards the trust fund.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical cannabis, while 15 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis. However, individuals with prior cannabis convictions still face barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities.
Expunging cannabis convictions would not only provide relief for those who have been unfairly impacted by the war on drugs but would also benefit society as a whole. By removing barriers to employment and other opportunities, individuals with prior convictions would be better able to contribute to their communities and the economy.
The reintroduction of the MORE Act comes at a time when there is growing momentum for cannabis reform at the federal level. President Joe Biden has expressed support for decriminalizing cannabis and expunging prior convictions, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive cannabis reform bill.
In conclusion, the reintroduction of the MORE Act is a positive step towards cannabis reform and addressing the harms caused by the war on drugs. Expunging cannabis convictions would provide relief for individuals who have been unfairly impacted and would benefit society as a whole. It is important for lawmakers to continue working towards comprehensive cannabis reform at the federal level.
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