The M.O.R.E. Act -- What You Need To Know!

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We just received this M.O.R.E. Act update from our friends over at the Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF)...

If you're not familiar with the M.O.R.E. Act, please look at this mini overview:

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019 or the MORE Act of 2019
This bill decriminalizes marijuana. Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana.

Earlier today, the House Judiciary Committee approved the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, marking the first-ever vote in Congress to end cannabis prohibition at the federal level. The bill passed out of committee by a margin of 24-10, with Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Tom McClintock (R-CA) joining 22 Democrats in support. It can be brought to the House floor for a vote once it has been waived or considered by each of the seven additional committees to which it has been referred.

The MORE Act (H.R.3884) would, among other purposes, remove cannabis from the federal drug schedules of the Controlled Substances Act, provide for expungement of federal cannabis convictions, and establish a 5% excise tax on cannabis to fund various grant programs. In addition to ensuring cannabis consumers and businesses are treated fairly under the law, it would bolster state and industry efforts to promote diversity within the cannabis business community, while helping communities and individuals adversely impacted by the war on drugs. 
 
During debate on amendments, ranking member Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) spoke passionately in support of allowing states to determine their own cannabis policies, and there appeared to be a consensus among both parties that the conflict between state and federal cannabis laws is untenable and needs to be resolved. While the Georgia Republican did not vote in favor of the primarily Democratic-backed MORE Act, he urged members of the committee to work in a bipartisan manner to push legislation through this Congress. CTF’s federal lobbying team plans to capitalize on this momentum, and we will be working with our Republican and Democratic allies to advance bipartisan solutions.
 
Collins noted his home state does not have a thriving cannabis industry yet, and he referenced his recent trip to Colorado as a significant factor in his evolution on cannabis policy. CTF served as a key resource for the congressman during his visit, coordinating meetings with leaders of CTF member businesses and tours of their facilities. 

A solid majority of Americans support ending cannabis prohibition, and we’re finally seeing that reflected in a vote on Capitol Hill. This is thanks in large part to people like you taking direct action and supporting our efforts. We thank you for all you have done thus far, and we hope you will continue to lend your voice to this fight.  

national coalition of cannabis-related businesses that represents all aspects of the industry including cultivators, dispensaries, wholesalers, distributors, and ancillary businesses. We are a professional, credible, and unified organization dedicated to establishing sensible cannabis policy, promoting social responsibility, and leading the future ongoing professionalization of a highly-regulated and increasingly-organized cannabis industry.