Today the House of Representatives voted to decriminalize and tax marijuana at the federal level. The final vote was 228-164. It was mostly split along party lines as 222 Democrats voted in favor of the bill, while only 5 Republicans did so. Justin Amash, the independent Libertarian also voted in favor.
Proponents of the bill contend it will help end the “war on drugs” that has brought about a sharp increase in the non-violent prison population, particularly of minorities. The new excise tax on marijuana will be used to further help the groups and communities effected by the “war on drugs”. Finally, the expungement of federal marijuana convictions and arrests will be provided.
A Shift in Policy
The decriminalization of marijuana would shift policy from a criminal justice issue, to one of personal choice and public health. Key sponsor, Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said, “Whatever one’s views are on the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal use, the policy of arrests, prosecution, and incarceration at the federal level has proven unwise and unjust.”
Indeed the United States has a higher prison population than any other nation in the world, with nearly 25% of the world’s incarcerated population living in the States despite having less than 5% of the world’s total population. Prosecutors have also been twice as likely to pursue mandatory minimum sentencing for minorities as opposed to white drug offenders for the same offense.
Opposition
Opponents claim that the House should instead be focusing on COVID-19 relief. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, said, “They’re picking weed over the workers. They’re picking marijuana over the much-needed money we need to go forward”.
Democrats have said they can do both at the same time. Multiple COVID relief bills have been passed in the house, only to sit before Mitch McConnell in the Senate without a vote.
Vote Breakdown
The five Republican Representatives that supported the bill were Matt Gaetz and Brian Mast of Florida, Tom McClintock of California, Denver Riggleman of Virginia, and Don Young of Alaska.
The six Democratic Representatives that opposed the bill were Cheri Bustos and Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, and Henry Cuellar of Texas.
What Happens Next?
The bill passes after many states have already moved to change drug laws themselves. Only six states remain where marijuana is fully illegal, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Wyoming, and Idaho. In November, Oregon voted to decriminalize all drugs, perhaps a sign of more progressive and libertarian stances on drug policy taking hold.
However, the bill now goes to the Senate, controlled by Republicans, where it is unlikely to pass. Here another bill, approved by the House last year, that would allow marijuana businesses to use traditional banking services has sat without a vote. Making it one of many bills ignored by the Senate.
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