Earlier this month, members of United States Congress made history with their vote on cannabis-related legislature. By a majority of twenty-four to ten, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act was approved by the United States House Judiciary Committee. With this vote, members of Congress have moved to federally deschedule marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act. If the bill can pass the Senate, states will be allowed to make their own rulings regarding cannabis and enforce them at the state level, free of undue complications from overarching federal limits.
This groundbreaking move was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY). Prior to the vote, Nadler spoke passionately on the matter in his opening statements on the House Floor. “For far too long, we have treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of a matter of personal choice and public health. Whatever one’s views on the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes, arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating users at the federal level is unwise and unjust.”
The proposed components of the MORE Act echo Canada’s 2018 legal changes. Though Canada went a step further by federally legalizing cannabis and its derivatives for recreational adult use and consumption, their legislature similarly empowers provinces to decide what’s best within their own local communities. That same year, a Quinnipiac University survey showed that 70% of Americans supported the same change in our nation’s Federal legislature.
Public policy changes have reflected increased public acceptance and support of cannabis, with thirty-three states now regulating medical and/or recreational use. Nearly a quarter of American adults now live in a state where cannabis is legal (like lucky Coloradoans, with a pipe shop at every corner). More Americans than not agree that the federal government cannot justifiably interfere with the enactment of voter-initated local policies.
The MORE Act’s Congressional victory is one of great significance, as the most extensive reform bill in our nation’s history. There are a number of crucial impacts that Americans can expect to see as components of the MORE Act take effect in the imminent future.
Tell Us MORE
Most would agree that the most meaningful and impactful outcome of the MORE Act is its impact on those incarcerated for low-level marijuana possession charges. The MORE act is set to increase inducements and monetary funding which will help states expunge such convictions from the criminal records of their citizens. This would give them well-deserved closure and freedom from undue housing and employment discrimination, increasing their collective ability to move forward in their lives.
Another potential advantage of the MORE Act aims to help disabled veterans nationwide. Changes therein would enable physicians employed by the Veterans Administration to recommend cannabis (in states where it’s been legalized) to disabled veterans as an option for the treatment of their ailments, both physical and psychological.
But wait – There’s MORE!
If the MORE Bill can gain Senate approval, the changes we’ve described aren’t the only benefits the MORE Act would allow. Federal law currently demands that the cannabis industry – with billions in annual revenue – function solely with the use of cash. For years, this has caused problems for legal cannabis businesses by making them more vulnerable to robberies. It’s also made them much more difficult to audit. Establishing a business and building one to the point of success and stability are no small feat. The lack of access to banking and credit for legal vendors of cannabis have proven detrimental across the board. Thankfully, the MORE Act will help to alleviate those difficulties by ensuring that those complying with state regulatory standards won’t have any undue difficulties. By removing their needless vulnerability to theft by removing former cash-only mandates, the MORE Act also increases the safety of dispensary workers and their regular patrons alike.
But First, MORE Needs to Happen
Most smoke shop regulars and advocates would agree that the MORE Act has great potential to improve the lives of veterans, ex-convicts, and cannabis industry buyers and sellers alike. Unfortunately, the bill still has to win a majority vote on the Republican-controlled Senate floor – which could be an uphill battle. Colorado representative Ken Buck warned “I don’t think a majority of the Republicans will support this bill. It is even less likely that the Senate would take it up. Therefore, I would just suggest that we deal with other bills that we can get a much larger bipartisan support from.” Disappointed by this roadblock? Don’t fret. California Senator Kamala Harris has proposed alternative legislation, which would spurn similar outcomes to the MORE Act if approved.
Feel strongly about the MORE Act one way or another? Head shop enthusiasts can call our local representatives at any level to speak for (or against) the causes that matter most to us. In the meantime, Coloradoans in favor of cannabis have little to fret over, as our state laws grant adult cannabis users greater access than citizens of any other state.
At 710 Pipes, we carry all of the smoke shop products you may need, like JUULs and other vaporizers, water pipes, hat pins and so much more! Stop by our Northglenn head shop between 8AM-10PM, seven days a week. We have two Denver pipe shops open daily from 12-8PM (11AM-9PM Thursdays through Saturdays) – on Colfax and on Evans near DU. Denver University students get 10% off with a valid student ID!
We’ll see you soon!