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Five House Republicans crossed party lines to vote for the MORE law, seeking to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level – a position at odds with the party, but not with national sentiment.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., The only Republican co-sponsor on the bill was supported by GOP representatives. Brian Mast, (Florida), Denver Riggleman, (Virginia), Don Young (Ak.) And Tom McClintock, (California).
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“The MORE law is imperfect; it’s using cannabis policy to do a lot of social engineering to create new taxes and programs and redistribution of assets, ”Gaetz said, speaking from the House floor on Friday after Rep. Jim Jordan , R-Ohio, has ceded its time.
“But I’m here as the only Republican co-sponsor of the MORE Act, and I’m voting for it because the federal government has lied to the people of this country about marijuana for a generation.”
“We have seen a generation, especially black and brown youth, locked up for offenses that should not have resulted in any incarceration. I am also deeply troubled that current policy, the federal government, inhibits research on cannabis, research that could unlock cures and help people live better, ”he added, hitting a topic. discussion that Democrats have been making for years.
“My Republican colleagues will present a number of arguments against this bill today, but those arguments lose overwhelmingly to the American people.”
A recent Gallup poll found that 68% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana – a 2% increase from last year and a record high.
The recent general election also saw two staunchly conservative states, Mississippi and South Dakota, join with 34 other states in legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.
South Dakota along with Arizona, New Jersey and Montana have passed legislation allowing recreational possession of marijuana – which now means 15 states allow such possession.
But the GOP-controlled Senate doesn’t seem to listen to the American people or their fellow Republican lawmakers.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Condemned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., For allowing the MORE Act to go on the register last week, when ‘A coronavirus relief bill has yet to be approved.
“The House of Representatives is spending this week on pressing issues like marijuana,” McConnell said from the Senate Thursday. “You know, serious and important legislation that benefits the national crisis.”
Although the MORE law that hit the House floor for a vote was not so surprising, as it first appeared in the role in September.
Not wanting to frustrate voters by passing a bill that decriminalizes marijuana when a COVID stimulus package could not be approved by Congress, Democrats pushed back the bill, promising to pass it before the end of the day. ‘year.
“President Pelosi’s house decides to“ blow, eat, transmit ”the PPP and COVID relief that helps save jobs. Senate Republicans are focused on obtaining emergency relief and economic aid for Americans, ”the Senate Republican Communications Center said on Twitter. “But House Democrats are focused on legalizing marijuana.”
“Rent is due today, and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are focused on legalizing marijuana and banning the Tiger King,” said Senator Kelly Loeffler.
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Republicans currently have 50 seats in the Senate, while Democrats have 48, including two independent Senators who meet with Democrats. But if the GOP candidates lose in the second round, Democrats will likely pass the MORE law in the Senate.
Even if the GOP loses only one seat in the Senate, a single Republican senator would need to cross party lines to pass the bill – a situation that Friday’s vote in the House showed is a possibility.
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