Stances on marijuana have changed drastically over the years. Many states have legalized marijuana, with more to follow suit, including New Jersey. This November, 68% of New Jersey residents voted in favor of legalizing weed. The United States is taking notice of the acceptance of the recreational and medicinal uses of marijuana. As a result, the U.S. House will debate ending the federal ban on cannabis. Read on to learn more about the impending vote and the impacts it could have.
In the near future, the U.S. House of Representatives will be debating the MORE act, which stands for Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act. If the act is passed, the House will move to deschedule marijuana. Currently, marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 drug. This means it is in the same category of drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, LSD and other potentially addictive and dangerous drugs. Deschduling marijuana would “allow states to legalize it, give banks the ability to offer credit cards and checking accounts to legal cannabis businesses, and make it easier to study any medicinal benefits of pot,” according to NJ.com. Many U.S. representatives feel that, in the face of the country’s acceptance regarding legalization, now is the time to make these important changes. NJ.com has also stated that the bill “would require federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions, tax weed to help communities hardest hit by the war on drugs, fund job training, and provide loans to minority-owned small businesses seeking to enter the cannabis industry.” These changes would positively impact communities that have been hit hardest by the War on Drugs.
This will be the first congressional vote regarding removing the ban on cannabis. But, it is important to remember that while both New Jersey and the rest of the country are moving toward legalization, no new laws have been passed. As a result, existing laws regarding marijuana possession and use must still be followed. If you or a loved one has received a marijuana-related charge, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys to discuss your case. Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns about how the potential new laws may affect you, reach out to our firm.
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Here at McNerney & McAuliffe, we understand how confusing certain legal matters can be, which is why we are here to provide clients from all walks of life with the experienced, compassionate legal guidance they need. If you require the legal assistance of an attorney to help you through a criminal law matter, personal injury matter, family law matter, or otherwise, you can turn to us. Contact McNerney & McAuliffe today to learn more about what we can do for you.
