Congressman Dan Goldman Pushes for Marijuana Decriminalization, Expungement for Prior Convictions
CONGRESSMAN DAN GOLDMAN PUSHES FOR MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION, EXPUNGEMENT FOR PRIOR CONVICTIONS
The ‘Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act’ Would Decriminalize Marijuana, Require Resentencing and Expungement of Prior Convictions
Black Individuals 360 Percent More Likely to Face Marijuana Arrest than White Counterparts
Read the Bill Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) in introducing the ‘Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act’ to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. This legislation would also require resentencing and expungement of prior convictions, including for juvenile offenders.
Historically, marijuana criminalization has been unevenly enforced in the United States. According to a 2020 American Civil Liberties Union study, Black individuals are 360 percent more likely to face arrest for marijuana possession than their white counterparts. This holds true across state lines, with Black individuals more likely to be arrested than White individuals in every single state.
“It is past time to acknowledge that the past half-century of federal marijuana policy has been an unmitigated failure,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “The criminalization of marijuana has done nothing to make our communities safer or healthier, but it has put far too many people of color behind bars. This critical legislation is a crucial step in helping those adversely impacted by the ‘War on Drugs’ to rebuild their lives.”
The MORE Act paves the way for the legal sale and taxation of marijuana after its decriminalization, with an emphasis on rebuilding communities devastated by the ‘War on Drugs.’ Through the assessment of a 5 percent sales tax, the MORE Act creates the Opportunity Trust Fund, which includes the Community Reinvestment Grant Program, the Cannabis Opportunity Grant Program, and the Equitable Licensing Grant Program. Additionally, it would open up Small Business Administration funding for legitimate cannabis-related businesses and service providers.
In order to decriminalize marijuana and reverse the negative effects of prior criminalization, the MORE Act would:
Decriminalize marijuana at the federal level by removing the substance from the Controlled Substances Act. This applies retroactively to prior and pending convictions, and enables states to set their own policy.
Require federal courts to expunge prior convictions, allows prior offenders to request expungement, and requires courts, on motion, to conduct re-sentencing hearings for those still under supervision.
Authorize the assessment of a 5 percent sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products to create an Opportunity Trust Fund, which includes three grant programs:
The Community Reinvestment Grant Program: Provides services to the individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, including job training, re-entry services, legal aid, literacy programs, youth recreation, mentoring, and substance use treatment.
The Cannabis Opportunity Grant Program: Provides funds for loans to assist small businesses in the marijuana industry that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
The Equitable Licensing Grant Program: Provides funds for programs that minimize barriers to marijuana licensing and employment for the individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs.
Open up Small Business Administration funding for legitimate cannabis-related businesses and service providers
Provides non-discrimination protections for marijuana use or possession, and for prior convictions for a marijuana offense
Prohibits the denial of any federal public benefit (including housing) based on the use or possession of marijuana, or prior conviction for a marijuana offense
Provides that the use or possession of marijuana, or prior conviction for a marijuana offense, will have no adverse impact under the immigration laws
Requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect data on the demographics of the industry to ensure people of color and those who are economically disadvantaged are participating in the industry
Congressman Dan Goldman is a member of the Second Chance Task Force, which aims to help those who have been formerly incarcerated.
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