National Urban League Supports Passage of the MORE Act   

National Urban League Supports Passage of the MORE Act in the House of Representatives; urges for swift movement in the Senate  

Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2022) – Today, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial released the following statement after the House of Representative’s passage of the Marijuana opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act with a vote of 220 – 204: 

“On Friday, the House passed the MORE Act, bringing us one step closer to reversing decades of failed federal policies based on the criminalization of marijuana. We thank House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Nadler and Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs Barbara Lee and Earl Blumenauer for their leadership in ensuring the MORE Act would pass.

“If passed, the MORE Act would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act list and decriminalize it. The legislation would require federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions and conduct resentencing hearings for those completing their sentences. It also authorizes a 5% sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products that would be used for grant programs focused on job training, substance abuse treatment and loans to help disadvantaged small businesses get into the marijuana industry.

“For far too long, communities, particularly those of color, have dealt with the lasting effects of the War on Drugs. According to the Center for American Progress, black and brown people are 4 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts, even though both use marijuana at similar rates. There are now millions of people with criminal convictions for possessing a substance that is decriminalized in 33 states and the District of Columbia—and that 7 in 10 American voters believe should be legal.

“Last year, the National Urban League released its Equitable Cannabis Legalization memo, a policy position on equitable legalization of cannabis. The issue brief outlines several areas that policymakers must address, including the overlapping issues of social equity and community reinvestment, criminal justice, workforce development, entrepreneurship, public health, and product safety, to get this right. In order for our communities to achieve true equity, inclusion, and justice, it requires addressing discriminatory practices in all systems at the root. 

“We express our support for the MORE Act and look forward to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senator Cory Booker advancing equitable cannabis legalization in the Senate.”