US House to Vote on Removing Marijuana from Controlled Substances List
The bill would not legalize Cannabis, that definition would still be left to the states.
In September, the US House will vote on removing Cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, as well as expunging some marijuana criminal records, reports The Hill.
The bill would not legalize Cannabis. That definition would still be left to the states. Even though the vote does not legalize the drug, it will still be a historic step in reducing legal penalties related to Cannabis.
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Currently, marijuana is legal in 11 states.
The September vote is set to be the first step taken to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act.
As of now, Cannabis is listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
This means there is no medical benefit. If the drug were removed from the act, the federal ban on the drug would be lifted, but state laws making it illegal would still stand.
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This action would also expunge criminal records and provide funding for individuals negatively affected by the enforcement of marijuana laws.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler introduced the bill last year, which was approved by the panel in a 24-10 vote in November.
With votes from Republican representatives Matt Gaetz (Florida) and Tom McClintock (California), the committee passed.
It is unlikely the bill will pass in the Republican-controlled Senate.
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The vote will take place during a time of national reckoning on systemic racism and police brutality, with advocates for racial justice highlighting the disproportionate enforcement of marijuana laws against people of color in the US.
Source: information from the Wate website