https://cannabisexaminers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/581341701_1140x641.png
The new bill would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, leaving it up to the states to decide it’s legal status.
WASHINGTON — Decriminalizing marijuana at a federal level might become a reality as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on the historic effort next month.
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act (MORE) in September.
Under the new bill, marijuana would be removed from the Controlled Substances Act, instead of leaving it up to the states on whether or not to legalize the drug. Neither chamber of Congress has ever voted on removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act before.
Eleven US states already have legalized weed, such as California, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. Right now, cannabis is considered a Schedule 1 drug under that Controlled Substances Act, which was passed in 1970. Drugs that fall under this category are labeled as having a higher potential for abuse and no medical benefit, so removing weed from the Controlled Substances Act would mean it’s not illegal to possess it at the federal level.
But that doesn’t mean it’s immediately legal in every other state — just that states would be able to determine the legality on their own.
What else does the MORE Act do?
The MORE Act would also authorize the assessment of a 5% sales tax on marijuana and it’s related products to create an “Opportunity Trust Fund.” In addition, the bill has received wide Democratic support due to the criminal reform elements tied within it, establishing processes to expunge convictions and also hold sentence review hearings for those with cannabis-related offenses.
In D.C., you can possess minimal amounts of marijuana for personal use under what’s commonly known as Initiative 71, which went into effect in February of 2015 — but only if you’re 21 and older.
According to DC law, a person who is at least 21 years old can:
- Possess two ounces or less of marijuana;
- Transfer one ounce or less of marijuana to another person who is at least 21 years old, so long as there is no payment made or any other type of exchange of goods or services;
- Cultivate within their residence up to six marijuana plants, no more than three of which are mature;
- Possess marijuana-related drug paraphernalia – such as bongs, cigarette rolling papers, and cigar wrappers – that is associated with one ounce or less of marijuana; or
- Use marijuana on private property.
Basically, you’re allowed to possess small amounts of weed but you can’t sell it or buy it, and you have to use it on private property.
If passed in the House, the MORE Act would still need to be passed in the Senate before becoming a law.
About C.E. News
