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House passes legislation that decriminalizes marijuana

Marijuana
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The House passed legislation Friday that would decriminalize marijuana nationwide.

The vote was 220 to 204.

Three Republicans voted for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, including Tom McClintock of California, Brian Mast and Matt Gaetz of Florida.

Democrats Henry Cuellar of Texas and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire voted against it.

Marijuana is still illegal on the federal level, but the “MORE” Act would remove marijuana from the list of scheduled controlled substances.

The legislation would leave it up to states to set their own laws surrounding marijuana.

It would also release people who are incarcerated on cannabis-related offenses of fewer than 30 grams and erase criminal penalties for those who were convicted of manufacturing, distributing or possessing it.

The bill would impose a federal tax on marijuana sales.

Friday marks the second time House Democrats have voted in favor of decriminalizing marijuana, after previously advancing the legislation in 2020.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it's not expected to gain much support.