Five Republicans vote for bill to decriminalize marijuana

Five House Republicans resisted party lines and voted in favor of legislation to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level on Friday.

GOP representatives. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) Gaetz Giuliani discussed possible forgiveness with Trump: Hannity report urges Trump to forgive himself Gaetz: Trump “ should forgive everyone, ” including himself for quelling “ thirst for blood ” liberal MORE (Florida) – the only GOP co-sponsor on the bill – Denver rigglemanDenver Lawmaker RigglemanGOP Blames Newcomer for Allegations of Presidential Election Fraud GOP Lawmaker Says He Was Called a ‘Traitor’ by People Close to Him for Recognizing Biden Winning Cheney, Senior GOP Lawmakers ask the Trump campaign to prove electoral fraud MORE (Virginia.), Don YoungDonald (Don) Edwin YoungOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump administration withdraws bird protection despite objections | Trump’s Fossil Fuel Banking Proposal Gets Backlash from Libertarians | 2019 EU greenhouse gas emissions down 24% Next congress looks more like Trump’s US banking proposal on fossil fuels draws backlash from libertarians MORE (Alaska), Tom mcclintockLawmaker Thomas (Tom) Milller McClintockGOP defends Newsom for breaking ‘silly’ COVID-19 rules GOP McClintock pushes back challenger in California Republicans campaign mode for top spots on House environmental committees MORE (California) and Brian MastBrian Jeffrey MastHouse Hispanic Republicans welcome four new members Mast pushes back Democratic challenge to retain Florida House seat Warren, Porter leads progressive fundraiser supporting seven swing state candidates MORE (Florida) joined Democrats in supporting the measure, which was passed by 228-164.

The sweeping legislation includes language to remove marijuana from the federal list of controlled substances and would erase some marijuana convictions.

In a delivered speech, Gaetz said that while he doesn’t think the bill is perfect, it is a step in the right direction to bring down unjust incarceration and potentially advance innovation in the industry. health care in the United States.

“The MORE law is imperfect; he’s using cannabis politics to do a lot of social engineering to create new taxes and new programs and redistribution of assets. 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, ”he said.

“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 federal government policy prevents research into cannabis, research that could unlock cures and help people live better lives. My Republican colleagues will present today a number of arguments against this bill, but these arguments lose overwhelmingly against the American people, ”he continued.

Riggleman also noted some differences in the wording of the bill, but said there were inconsistencies with the marijuana policy that needed to be corrected.

“The MORE law is not perfect, but it does address the issues related to federal marijuana policy,” he said. “Federal marijuana policy is full of problems and inconsistencies. I don’t know why we can’t write a simple page bill that disrupts marijuana and delegates that authority to the states.”

Riggleman said his brother was jailed on a marijuana charge, which shaped his position. He said his family owns and runs a distillery, but that he “will humbly submit that alcohol can be much worse than marijuana.”

“I don’t think there are a lot of Republicans who have a brother who was jailed for marijuana. It was actually a crime for him. And he’s going through a rough time after that, trying to get away. of a felony conviction, “he told The Hill.

“And it’s just that I think we’re at a point where we need to be honest about marijuana, decriminalize it, but also allow states to have control over how they react and how they control the. marijuana.”

Recreational cannabis is legal in 15 states and Washington, DC, 34 states that have legalized medical marijuana.

The bill marked the first time that either of the two chambers passed legislation to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.