The United States is one step away from legalizing marijuana! Call your senators!
The U.S. House of Representatives just passed a bill to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level.
The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act removes marijuana from the list of federally controlled substances, allowing states to legalize cannabis without federal interference.
18 states have already gone ahead and legalized recreational cannabis without waiting for the federal government’s approval, while 37 states have already legalized it for medical use. More states will have ballot measures to fully legalize cannabis this fall.
The proposed legislation would eliminate criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes or possesses marijuana. It would also allow for expungement and re-sentencing for non-violent, cannabis-related crimes.
It would also establish an 8% federal tax on legal marijuana sales.
“It is long overdue that we stop punishing adults for using a substance that is objectively safer than alcohol,” said NORML’s Political Director Morgan Fox. “This vote is a clear indicator that Congress is finally listening to the vast majority of voters who are sick and tired of our failed marijuana criminalization policies.”
According to a recent poll, a super majority (83%) of American voters support legalizing marijuana.
Almost every Democrat in the Democrat-controlled House voted for the bill, along with three Republicans. With a near 50/50 split in the Senate, it will be a closer vote, so if you think this is an important issue, call or email your senator now!