Friend,
Over the course of my career, I’ve been on the front lines in the fight to legalize marijuana and provide restorative justice to communities of color. For too long, marijuana prohibition has fueled mass criminalization and mass incarceration — but I’m excited to announce that’s changing.
Just yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) which would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.
That’s historic.
This critical legislation contains several key provisions from my own bills, the Marijuana Justice Act and the RESPECT Resolution, that would help the people of color disproportionately affected by our nation's outdated and discriminatory policies. It also:
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Allows states to set their own marijuana policy,
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Requires federal courts to expunge prior convictions for marijuana offenses,
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And includes a 5% tax on marijuana products that would then be used to fund programs for people disproportionately impacted by the failed War on Drugs.
This bill is HUGE and I’m extremely proud to have played a part in its committee passing. Now, we must act to ensure this bill gets passed on the House floor and sent to the Senate.
We’ve never been closer to correcting our nation’s marijuana laws than right now. If you’re ready for change, sign my petition now to demand Congress pass the MORE Act.
In solidarity,
Barbara Lee
