Your medical cannabis journey simplified: find partnered dispensaries, explore pricing options, earn rewards, and get answers to FAQs, all in one spot.
October 5, 2020 10:54 am ETEstimated Read Time: 4 Minutes
The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act, commonly known as the MORE Act could change the landscape regarding cannabis in the United States. This act, which was introduced some time ago, has received substantial support throughout the cannabis community as well as by political leaders of both parties. This much-needed piece of legislation that would reform cannabis, unlike any other piece of legislation has done at the federal level in the past with the exception of the one that made it illegal in the first place, was supposed to receive a vote this month by the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, today, it became evident that this much-anticipated vote on HR 3884 will be postponed.
Why the MORE Act is So Important
The MORE Act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, essentially decriminalizing it at the federal level. It would also facilitate the expungement of minor cannabis-related charges as well as provide incentives to state and local governments to proactively do the same. If passed, the act would also remove the threat of deportation for immigrants within the United States and allow veterans the opportunity to obtain medical cannabis recommendations from doctors at VA Hospitals, something that they currently cannot do even in states with legal, medical markets. This bill even goes an extra step to create opportunities for ownership of businesses within the cannabis industry for minority entrepreneurs as well as many other vital changes regarding this plant and its legality at the federal level.
Overwhelming Support Exists
According to Justin Strekal the Political Director for the nationally acclaimed cannabis activist group NORML;
“This delay by the House does not change the fact that the overwhelming majority of voters support ending the federal prohibition of cannabis, including majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans.”
Information from dataforprogress.org released earlier this year 80% of democrats support fully legalizing cannabis nationally. According to data from the Pew Research Center from November of last year overall 67% of American voters believe that cannabis should be made legal with 78% of Democrats showing their support and 55% of Republicans stating they would also vote yes. A Gallup poll from October 2019 showed similar results with 66% of voters supporting federal cannabis legalization with 76% of democrats showing support and 51% of republicans.
MORE is Supported by More Than Patients and Activists
Support for the MORE Act isn’t just coming from the voters but also from health professionals, advocacy and activist groups, national human rights organizations, and many others. Letters to members of the House have been sent from various organizations including the Law Enforcement Action Partnership commonly known as LEAP, the Drug Policy Alliance, the NAACP, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Women, and many others urging lawmakers to support this legislation.
Apply For Your Medical Marijuana Card Today
Veriheal has satisfied hundreds of thousands of patients nationwide
Get approved or your money back
Appointments available on-demand
Customer support available 24/7
Why This Legislation Is Dire
The need for cannabis reform at the federal level extends much further than just eliminating the criminal aspect of those who choose to consume this plant be it for recreational or medical purposes. According to a report recently released by the ACLU, Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to be arrested and incarcerated for cannabis in comparison to Caucasian Americans.
According to the FBI, despite many states having legal markets, more than 660,000 Americans were arrested for cannabis-related crimes in 2018 alone. Meanwhile, state-legal cannabis industries across the United States employ more than 243,000 full-time workers. It is time that a federal change to cannabis law occurs and we had that chance this month with the MORE Act but unfortunately, the powers that be had other plans and the much-anticipated vote has been postponed.
Why the Delay and is There Still Hope?
According to NORML per their most recent newsletter, the delay in the roll-call was “not substantive about the legislation itself. Rather, they were a result of the political uncertainties and division that have consistently plagued Congress in the wake of the Senate and White House’s refusal to work with House Democrats to pass another round of COVID economic relief. It is expected that the vote will be rescheduled in November.”
What You Can Do to Help the MORE Act Succeed When the Time Comes
While it is unfortunate that a vote on this monumental legislation has been delayed, it allows us time as advocates to reach out to our leaders in the House and urge them to support this legislation when the time comes. We encourage you to contact your representatives today! Remember to keep it short, factual, and cordial. Through constructive dialogue and persistence we can help produce a victory for cannabis at the federal level in the years to come, so what are you waiting for? Contact your representative and have your voice heard regarding the MORE Act and what it means for the citizens and patients of the United States.
Ashley Priest is a patient, mother, entrepreneur, and activist that fights to end prohibition globally for a better future for all. Ashley has a passion for sharing education pertaining to the goddess plant known as cannabis. She believes that a single seed can tip the scales and that together through education we can end the stigma that is preventing cannabis from flowering to its full potential globally.
The congress in good times slows everything down.
They move by polls and the polls alone…
Right now they want to get Trump and know that if they don’t…these investigations will not only continue…they will take down most of these lifetime politicians.
If they moved by polls and polls alone, we wouldn’t be where we are today. A majority of Americans have supported legalization for decades according to various polls. It would appear that more often than not, they move by campaign donations and campaign donations alone.
Blunts: What are they exactly, and how do they affect your body? If you’re interested in smoking blunts—or already smoke them—this guide is for you. We’ll cover everything you need to know about this popular cannabis intake method, including how they’re made, how they differ from spliffs and joints, risks of use, and alternative intake…
“Stoned,” “high,” “tripping,” and “baked,” are all terms engrained in the cannabis community. These metaphorical descriptions contribute to how we perceive, interpret, and learn from the experiences produced by cannabis consumption. Cannabis experiences, of course, are unique and highly variable. Specific plant strains, the presence of other cannabinoids, different delivery methods, and a user’s individual…
Thanks to the growing wave of legalization, more consumers than ever can grow their own cannabis right at home. Growing essentials that used to be secretive are now bought and sold freely. This includes items, like grow tents, nutrients, LED lighting, HPS lighting, ventilation, and more. Keeping all these items straight is hard enough, but…
Skin diseases plague millions of individuals, inflicting both physical discomforts in addition to mental and social stress. Thankfully, there is no shortage of skin treatment options available on the market. That said, this established market may soon be in for a major shake-up if recent cannabis research is any indication. Traditionally, cannabis research focused on studying…
As more states move toward legalization, accurately detecting impaired driving is of the utmost importance. Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) have long been the go-to method for law enforcement to assess driver impairment caused by substances like alcohol. However, a recent 2023 study published in JAMA Psychiatry raises serious questions about the accuracy of these tests…
We use our own as well as third party cookies to improve your site experience and the services we make available. You can learn more about our use of cookies in our Privacy Policy.
Content Disclamer
The statements made regarding cannabis products on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cannabis is not an FDA-approved substance and is still illegal under federal law. The information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. We strongly recommend that you consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before using any cannabis products. The use of any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.