Nadler, Harris to introduce bill decriminalizing pot, expunge prior marijuana convictions

[jpak]

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/22/nadler-harris-to-introduce-bill-decriminalizing-pot-expunge-prior-convictions.html

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler and Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris are introducing legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level and repair “the damage done by the war on drugs” as cannabis reform gains steam in Congress.

Called the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or the MORE Act, the bill would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, decriminalizing the drug and allowing states to write their own policies. The legislation would require prior pot convictions to be expunged or re-sentenced.

It would also creates federal protections, such as prohibiting federal agencies from denying benefits to people found using marijuana and preventing immigrants from being deported for a marijuana-related conviction. The bill establishes a 5% cannabis tax to set up grants for minorities and low-income communities.

“Racially motivated enforcement of marijuana laws has disproportionately impacted communities of color,” Nadler, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “It’s past time to right this wrong nationwide and work to view marijuana use as an issue of personal choice and public health, not criminal behavior.”

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[roody]

1. I am so glad that Harris has changed her mind about mj.

[duforsure]

3. I agree

Now the others candidates left who don't back it will be in a losing position for them , and lose voters. Not sure who else is against MJ reform now, but this will expose them more, and this was smart on their part to do this now.

[The Wizard]

2. Even if passed

It will die in the Senate as McConnell hasn't figured out how to get the revenue diverted to his off shore money laundry accounts.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Someone made money from its illegality

and someone will make money from legalization

Legalization should have controls. Age, quality, safety. Much like alcohol.

Using money for enforcement of aggressive drivers and texters might save more lives than this antiquated system.

[Calculating]

5. The federal classification needs to change

How can they keep it as a schedule one drug alongside heroin when 2/3 of the country think it should just be legal like alcohol? It's as if our government doesn't even give half a rat's ass about popular opinion, OR the science which also suggests cannabis doesn't belong in schedule one.