A bill to fully deschedule marijuana is now sponsored by 40% of every Democrat in the United States House of Representatives.
Filed in September, 2023, the MORE Act (H.R. 5601) would decriminalize marijuana nationwide by removing it as a substance regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This would end federal marijuana prohibition, while allowing states to legalize marijuana if they choose.
Under the proposed law, if a state does allow legal marijuana sales, there would be a 5% federal tax placed on sales. This tax would rise a little each year, reaching 8% by the fifth year. The MORE Act would also allow would the guaranteed expungement of past charges related to simple marijuana possession.
Representative Nadler has described the MORE Act as “one of the most comprehensive marijuana reform bills ever introduced in the U.S. Congress”, saying it “aims to correct the historical injustices of failed drug policies that have disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income communities by requiring resentencing and expungement of prior convictions.”
Rep. Nadler filed the bill with 34 sponsors. In the seven months since, 53 additional lawmakers have signed on as sponsors, increasing the total to 87.
All 87 of the measure’s sponsors are Democrat, representing 40% of the party’s 213 House members.
The only other marijuana-related bill in the US Congress with more sponsors is the SAFE Banking Act, with 113. Unlike the MORE Act, the SAFE Banking Act has bipartisan support.
Although the MORE Act is unlikely to receive a vote in the House under the leadership of Republican Mike Johnson, it’s likely to be one of the main vehicles for marijuana law reform if the Democrats take control of the chamber this November.
You can read the full text of the MORE Act by clicking here.
