United States Congress Historically Votes on ‘MORE Act’ to Federally Decriminalize Cannabis

The United States House of Representatives is set to vote on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, which would federally decriminalize cannabis and allow for expungements of nonviolent federal marijuana convictions. This historic vote comes on the heels of the United Nations accepting the WHO’s recommendation to reschedule cannabis and cannabis related substances. As this turbulent year draws closer to an end, drug policy continues to make progressive strides around the world. You can watch the vote LIVE on C-SPAN using this link here. 

Learn more about the upcoming Microdose documentary “The World on Drugs”, a bold commentary on global drug policy and the exciting promise that is psychedelic medicine.

The MORE Act Aims to Remove Cannabis From the Controlled Substances Act

In addition to federal decriminalization and expunging nonviolent cannabis convictions, the MORE Act also aims to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. If passed, this would be a monumental milestone in marijuana policy. Currently, cannabis in the schedule I category of the Controlled Substances, the most restrictive class of drugs that are said to have “no currently accepted medical use”. Rescheduling efforts have been repeatedly proposed since 1972. The measure mirrors the United Nations recently removing cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 UN SIngle COnvention on Narcotic Drugs, which are also said to be extremely addictive and have no medical value. These powerful policy efforts spotlight the global acceptance of the medical value cannabis holds. This official recognition of the therapeutic potential of plant medicines that have long since prohibited marks a critical turning point in collective human evolution.

More About the MORE Act

Recent NBC reporting described that the MORE Act would also create pathways for social equity initiatives, enable veterans to obtain medical cannabis certifications from Veterans Affairs and work to reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. Today’s vote marks  the first time a full chamber of Congress has ever taken up the issue of federally decriminalizing cannabis. 

“It is the right thing to do,” said a co-sponsor of the MORE Act, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, to NBC. “For too long, the war on drugs has targeted young people, especially Black people, and rejected the advice of experts.”

Drug Policy Continues to Win Big As 2020 Comes to an End 

An increasing number of politicians on both sides of the political spectrum and ready to candidly admit the “War on Drugs” was an abject failure. Across the world, public acceptance has been steadily rising in support of more progressive drug policy. From Canada’s Health Minister approving psilocybin use for palliative and non-palliative patients to Oregon legalizing psilocybin therapy, plant medicine has had an incredibly successful year. Concerted efforts at full drug decriminalization are also sweeping provinces in Canada and states in the US as well. While the Coronavirus has indeed caused incredible challenges for the world in 2020, drug policy has had a victorious year. The house is expected to vote on this historic measure today. Stay tuned to Microdose for the latest developments and this developing breaking news story.