House Passes Historic Bill
Michael C.G. Jamon
EDITORS NOTE: An earlier version of this article stated “Congress” passed the bill when the “House of Representatives” passed the bill. The title has been changed to correct the error.
The United States House of Representatives for the first time in history voted to pass a bill that would federally decriminalize marijuana.
The MORE Act – Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019 —
They passed 228 to 164 nearly down strict party lines.
5 Republicans and one former Republican turned-Libertarian Justin Amash voted for the bill. The five Republicans included Reps. Matt Gaetz (FL), Brian Mast (FL), Tom McClintock (CA), Denver Riggleman (VA), and Don Young (AK).
Six democrats opposed the legislation: Reps. Cheri Bustos (IL), Henry Cuellar (TX), Conor Lamb (PA), Dan Lipinski (IL), Chris Pappas (NH), Collin Peterson (MN).
According to Congress.gov the bill removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates penalties for those who manufacture, distribute, or possess the plant.
The bill also replaces references to marijuana and marijuana with cannabis and imposes a 5% tax on cannabis which will be deposited into a trust fund which will fund various programs for individuals and communities impacted by the war on drugs.
The bill now moves onto the Senate where Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is the lead sponsor of the Senate version of the bill.
The bill will have an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
https://trumptrainnews.com/2020/12/04/congress-passes-historic-bill-rs-mj/