Congresswoman Stansbury Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana at the Federal Level
Rep. Stansbury votes to pass the MORE Act on the first day of recreational cannabis sales in New Mexico
WASHINGTON — As recreational cannabis opens for business in New Mexico, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted to pass historic legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, expand opportunities for economic development and marijuana research, and expunge federal marijuana convictions.
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act begins to address the historic injustices of the War on Drugs that have disproportionately impacted communities of color. Specifically, the MORE Act requires federal courts to expunge marijuana arrests and convictions and supports the development of expungement programs at the state level.
“Today the U.S. House took a major step in addressing the failed legacy of the War on Drugs and its disproportionate impacts on our communities by passing the MORE Act to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level,” said Rep. Stansbury. “New Mexico has already legalized both medical and recreational cannabis, the latter of which will take effect in New Mexico tomorrow. I was proud to support this legislation in New Mexico as a state legislator and today’s vote as our Congresswoman in order to help promote justice, equity, and economic development. Now, it’s time to get it through the Senate.”
The MORE Act works to repair the harm from the War on Drugs that disproportionately impacts communities of color through a $3 billion investment in job training, reentry services, and legal aid to people harmed by failed drug policies, implementing long-overdue cannabis reform and furthering racial justice across the United States.
This legislation also opens new avenues for research and development to study marijuana for use in federal health-related services. The legislation also imposes taxes on the cannabis industry and uses the revenues to fund key services targeted to those adversely impacted by federal criminalization of marijuana.
Last year, the New Mexico State Legislature convened a special session to legalize recreational use of marijuana and commercial distribution on the state level. Rep. Stansbury voted to pass this legislation, championed by now-New Mexico House Majority Leader Javier Martínez.
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act:
- Decriminalizes marijuana at the federal level by removing the substance from the Controlled Substances Act.
- Allows states to set their own expungement policies.
- Requires federal courts to expunge prior convictions.
- Authorizes the assessment of a 5% sales tax on marijuana and marijuana- related products to create an opportunity fund to reinvest funds into local communities and small businesses.
- Opens Small Business Administration funding for legitimate marijuana-related businesses.
- Provides non-discrimination protections for marijuana use or possession, and for prior convictions.
- Allows for research and developmental studies of cannabis.
The full text of the MORE Act is available here. A fact sheet is available here.