H.R. 3617 · 117th Congress · House

MORE Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced
May 28, 21
Passed House
Apr 1, 22
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act or the MORE Act

This bill decriminalizes marijuana.

Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana.

The bill also makes other changes, including the following:

  • replaces statutory references to marijuana and marihuana with cannabis,
  • requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to regularly publish demographic data on cannabis business owners and employees,
  • establishes a trust fund to support various programs and services for individuals and businesses in communities impacted by the war on drugs,
  • imposes an excise tax on cannabis products produced in or imported into the United States and an occupational tax on cannabis production facilities and export warehouses,
  • makes Small Business Administration loans and services available to entities that are cannabis-related legitimate businesses or service providers,
  • prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to a person on the basis of certain cannabis-related conduct or convictions,
  • prohibits the denial of benefits and protections under immigration laws on the basis of a cannabis-related event (e.g., conduct or a conviction),
  • establishes a process to expunge convictions and conduct sentencing review hearings related to federal cannabis offenses,
  • directs the Government Accountability Office to study the societal impact of state legalization of recreational cannabis,
  • directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study methods for determining whether a driver is impaired by marijuana,
  • directs the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study the impact of state legalization of recreational cannabis on the workplace, and
  • directs the Department of Education to study the impact of state legalization of recreational cannabis on schools and school-aged children.

Previous Versions

08Mar 24, 2022

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act or the MORE Act

This bill decriminalizes marijuana.

Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana.

The bill also makes other changes, including the following:

  • replaces statutory references to marijuana and marihuana with cannabis,
  • requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to regularly publish demographic data on cannabis business owners and employees,
  • establishes a trust fund to support various programs and services for individuals and businesses in communities impacted by the war on drugs,
  • imposes an excise tax on cannabis products produced in or imported into the United States and an occupational tax on cannabis production facilities and export warehouses,
  • makes Small Business Administration loans and services available to entities that are cannabis-related legitimate businesses or service providers,
  • prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to a person on the basis of certain cannabis-related conduct or convictions,
  • prohibits the denial of benefits and protections under immigration laws on the basis of a cannabis-related event (e.g., conduct or a conviction),
  • establishes a process to expunge convictions and conduct sentencing review hearings related to federal cannabis offenses, and
  • directs the Government Accountability Office to study the societal impact of cannabis legalization.
00May 28, 2021

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021 or the MORE Act of 2021

This bill decriminalizes marijuana.

Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana.

The bill also makes other changes, including the following:

  • replaces statutory references to marijuana and marihuana with cannabis,
  • requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to regularly publish demographic data on cannabis business owners and employees,
  • establishes a trust fund to support various programs and services for individuals and businesses in communities impacted by the war on drugs,
  • imposes an excise tax on cannabis products produced in or imported into the United States and an occupational tax on cannabis production facilities and export warehouses,
  • makes Small Business Administration loans and services available to entities that are cannabis-related legitimate businesses or service providers,
  • prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to a person on the basis of certain cannabis-related conduct or convictions,
  • prohibits the denial of benefits and protections under immigration laws on the basis of a cannabis-related event (e.g., conduct or a conviction),
  • establishes a process to expunge convictions and conduct sentencing review hearings related to federal cannabis offenses, and
  • directs the Government Accountability Office to study the societal impact of cannabis legalization.

Action Timeline

58
  1. APR 04, 2022•IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

  2. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1017. (consideration

    CR H4078-4110, H4110-4111; text: CR S4078-4087)

    4078Yea
    4110Nay
    0NV
  3. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R

    3617 and H.R. 6833. The resolutions provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 3617, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 6833, under a closed rule. The rule provides that House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021, is amended by striking April 1, 2022 each place it appears and inserting April 29, 2022.

  4. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3617.

  5. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 1017, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gottheimer amendment No. 1.

  6. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gottheimer amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bentz demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  7. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 1017, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lamb amendment No. 2.

  8. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lamb amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bentz demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  9. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 1017, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Raskin amendment No. 3.

  10. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Raskin amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bentz demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  11. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to amendments, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. (consideration: CR H4111-4112)

    4111Yea
    4112Nay
    0NV
  12. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  13. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    Mr

    Latta moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H4112-4116)

    4112Yea
    4116Nay
    0NV
  14. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

  15. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #106

    202 - 220 (Roll no. 106).

    202Yea
    220Nay
    0NV
  16. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #107

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 204 (Roll no. 107).

    220Yea
    204Nay
    0NV
  17. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #107

    220 - 204 (Roll no. 107).

    220Yea
    204Nay
    0NV
  18. APR 01, 2022•Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  19. MAR 31, 2022•Floor

    Rules Committee Resolution H

    Res. 1017 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3617 and H.R. 6833. The resolutions provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 3617, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 6833, under a closed rule. The rule provides that House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021, is amended by striking April 1, 2022 each place it appears and inserting April 29, 2022.

  20. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary

    H. Rept. 117-276, Part I.

    117Yea
    276Nay
    0NV
  21. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary

    H. Rept. 117-276, Part I.

    117Yea
    276Nay
    0NV
  22. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

  23. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

  24. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Agriculture discharged.

  25. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Agriculture discharged.

  26. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Education and Labor discharged.

  27. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Education and Labor discharged.

  28. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

  29. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

  30. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Small Business discharged.

  31. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Small Business discharged.

  32. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

  33. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

  34. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.

  35. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.

  36. MAR 24, 2022•Committee

    Committee on Transportation discharged.

  37. MAR 24, 2022•Discharge

    Committee on Transportation discharged.

  38. MAR 24, 2022•Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 203.

  39. SEP 30, 2021•Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  40. SEP 30, 2021•Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 15.

    26Yea
    15Nay
    0NV
  41. JUL 07, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

  42. JUL 05, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

  43. JUN 01, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

  44. JUN 01, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

  45. JUN 01, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

  46. MAY 31, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  47. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  48. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  49. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E592)

  50. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  51. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  52. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  53. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  54. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  55. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  56. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  57. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  58. MAY 28, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Committees

26

Finance Committee

ssfi00

Referred: Apr 4, 2022

Active

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

hspw00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Natural Resources Committee

hsii00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Small Business Committee

hssm00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Ways and Means Committee

hswm00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Agriculture Committee

hsag00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Mar 24, 2022

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Sep 30, 2021

Active

Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee

hsag15

Referred: Jul 7, 2021

Active

Federal Lands Subcommittee

hsii10

Referred: Jul 5, 2021

Active

Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee

hspw14

Referred: Jun 1, 2021

Active

Highways and Transit Subcommittee

hspw12

Referred: Jun 1, 2021

Active

Aviation Subcommittee

hspw05

Referred: Jun 1, 2021

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsif14

Referred: May 31, 2021

Active

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

hspw00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

hsgo00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Natural Resources Committee

hsii00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Small Business Committee

hssm00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Ways and Means Committee

hswm00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Agriculture Committee

hsag00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: May 28, 2021

Active