After the More Act passed in the House of Representatives, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer announced that he would bring the Senate’s version of the bill to the Senate floor on April 20th. But the deadline of the much-anticipated bill has been pushed to August, before the summer recess.
Perhaps the recent introduction of legislation in states like Kentucky and South Carolina to legalize marijuana at some level, and the support of most Americans to legalize its production and use, can give democrats in the Senate leverage to bring enough republican senators on board to bypass the filibuster when or if the bill gets to the Senator floor in August.
What Exactly is the Purpose of the MORE Act?
Let’s unpack some of the highlights of the bill to understand how it can benefit you. The bill as passed by the House of Representatives seeks to:
- Legalize marijuana nationwide, eliminating criminal penalties
- Provide access to small business loans for cannabis dispensaries
- Create a pathway for individuals with marijuana convictions to expunge their criminal records
- Impose a 5% tax which is to be used for social services
New Jersey is another state that recently passed legislation to legalize the sale and use of recreational marijuana—this week, more than half a dozen dispensaries will be open to the public in this state according to the New York Times. But again, remember that laws legalizing marijuana in California and New Jersey, for example, do not decriminalize marijuana nationwide. Marijuana is a schedule 1 drug under federal law that can lead to your arrest and conviction for possessing any amount.
If you are under criminal investigation, or if you are already facing a federal drug charge for manufacturing, selling, or possessing marijuana, you need the help of an experienced federal criminal defense attorney. Contact us at (424) 371-5930 to schedule a complementary consultation.
Many Americans are suffering the consequences of having a criminal conviction for a marijuana related offense, preventing them from seeking employment or accessing to social services. Don’t wait to speak with an attorney—for those under criminal investigation, hiring an attorney in the initial stages of the investigation can potentially prevent the filing of criminal charges, or minimize their criminal liability when the charges are filed.
