Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #MOREact
Most recents (13)
It's 4/20, so let's talk about weed. Here are a few of the reasons it's so important that we prioritize legalizing marijuana and clearing the records of those with marijuana-related offenses.
We know that people of color in this country—specifically Black Americans—are disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession. Part of reforming our criminal justice system means getting rid of laws that allow for discriminatory enforcement.
That's why we need to pass the #MOREact, which would federally decriminalize marijuana, expunge the records of people in jail, and invest in communities harmed by the war on drugs.
Just got around to reading the House #cannabis bill and actually stopped breathing for a few seconds when I saw this subtitle. This one sentence could change millions of lives by reuniting families separated by deportation and arbitrary inadmissibility.
#MOREact
#MOREact
Some of the worst things I've seen happen to my clients have been over the kinds of transactions that John Boehner is now overseeing in a suit.
It was always a moral abomination that ppl were deported and/or denied a visa over this, but never like now
nymag.com/intelligencer/…
It was always a moral abomination that ppl were deported and/or denied a visa over this, but never like now
nymag.com/intelligencer/…
The retroactivity here means not just expungement (also in here for federal cases), but fully removing cannabis offenses from any possibility of immigration consequences. This likely would have been inevitable with descheduling it, but it's genuinely thrilling to see it in print
"The federal government has lagged behind as states like California continue to modernize how we regulate and decriminalize cannabis," said Congressman Panetta.
| Congressman Panetta Cosponsors #MOREAct to Decriminalize Marijuana on the Federal Level | panetta.house.gov/media/press-re…
| Congressman Panetta Cosponsors #MOREAct to Decriminalize Marijuana on the Federal Level | panetta.house.gov/media/press-re…
2/
Jimmy Panetta's consultant, Plasha Will, is written into a sub-lease agreement that her firm, PFW Consulting and Dave Potter's, Potter Consulting, must be retained for marijuana advising when anyone sub-leases from Mike Bitar.
The guy on the far left is Bitar:
Jimmy Panetta's consultant, Plasha Will, is written into a sub-lease agreement that her firm, PFW Consulting and Dave Potter's, Potter Consulting, must be retained for marijuana advising when anyone sub-leases from Mike Bitar.
The guy on the far left is Bitar:
3/
Does that seem like clean, ethical conduct, closely linked to a United States Congressman who has also taken things of value from Bitar's associated group, Grupo Flor.? Who rents office space in #Salinas from Mike Bitar.
@CREWcrew @OfficeGovEthics
@FBI
Does that seem like clean, ethical conduct, closely linked to a United States Congressman who has also taken things of value from Bitar's associated group, Grupo Flor.? Who rents office space in #Salinas from Mike Bitar.
@CREWcrew @OfficeGovEthics
@FBI
Today, I helped the House pass the most significant #cannabis reform legislation in decades – the #MOREAct. This bill isn't perfect, but it takes important steps to safeguard our personal liberties and freedom. THREAD:
I am a passionate supporter of a states’ rights approach to cannabis policy. For too long, the Federal government has stood in the way of states that have acted to set their own marijuana policy, and it is past time Congress modernized these outdated laws.
Since Alaska legalized marijuana, I have heard from many constituents – including small business owners – who have been impacted by archaic Federal marijuana policy that criminalizes them for selling marijuana-derived products otherwise legal under state law.
I support the #MOREAct because it accomplishes three very important things:
1. Removes marijuana, or cannabis, from the list—or the schedule—of Federally controlled substances.
2. Sets up a taxation structure to collect a sales tax on marijuana, which would increase from five to eight percent over five years.
Link to live stream of the hearing on the #marijuana reform bill here:
rules.house.gov
#cannabisnews
rules.house.gov
#cannabisnews
Chairman @RepMcGovern begins by saying it's a historic day, because the rules committee is addressing marijuana reform. #cannabisnews
GOP Rep. Rob Woodall says that if we refuse to enforce federal laws, we should repeal those laws.
Adds though that he has letters from AAA and the Surgeon General saying there are still worries about fully reforming marijuana reform.
Adds though that he has letters from AAA and the Surgeon General saying there are still worries about fully reforming marijuana reform.
The House Rules Committee hearing on the #MOREAct (the marijuana policy reform bill) will start at 1pm. There are 5 amendments submitted for consideration.
Some are administrative: clarifying SBA language and allowing DOT and Coast Guard to drug test. [1/]
Some are administrative: clarifying SBA language and allowing DOT and Coast Guard to drug test. [1/]
.@RepDanBishop's amendment would not allow the MORE Act be enacted until DOT developed a way to test if drivers impaired by marijuana use — the research for that is already underway, and could take years longer. The amendment gives the DOT 180 days. amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/12.…
Florida @RepMattGaetz's amendment would remove the social equity funding, programs, grants and studies from the bill.
Gaetz has already voted for the MORE Act, in the judiciary committee last year. He's told me that he is more pro-STATES Act, however.
Gaetz has already voted for the MORE Act, in the judiciary committee last year. He's told me that he is more pro-STATES Act, however.
One interesting factoid: this poll shows that a majority of Democrats and Republicans support the #MOREAct, but not independents.
47% of independents and third party voters strongly or somewhat support the bill, 24 % are opposed and 29% are undecided. #cannabiscommunity
47% of independents and third party voters strongly or somewhat support the bill, 24 % are opposed and 29% are undecided. #cannabiscommunity
Methodology: The poll was conducted by @Justice_Collab — an advocacy organization that supports marijuana legalization + record expungement — and @dataforprogress. Their polling is usually pretty solid. They polled over 1200 ppl and the margin of error was +/- 2.8 percent.
Also important: this poll asked a *detailed* question about the MORE Act (I saw the crosstabs from the poll). It outlined the different things the poll does, including expungements, taxes and the grant program. That's important - it goes beyond just asking y/n on legalization.
Here's today's biggest news: House Democrats will push a vote on removing federal penalties on #marijuana until after the Nov 3 election. Full story up now (with @sarahnferris) — #cannabisnews politico.com/news/2020/09/1…
Why?
Democrats lost control of the narrative.
Two weeks ago, this bill was about criminal justice reform and showing what Dems can do ahead of the Nov 3 election. Then Republicans used it to bludgeon them over the lack of a coronavirus aid package. politico.com/news/2020/09/1…
Democrats lost control of the narrative.
Two weeks ago, this bill was about criminal justice reform and showing what Dems can do ahead of the Nov 3 election. Then Republicans used it to bludgeon them over the lack of a coronavirus aid package. politico.com/news/2020/09/1…
Moderates say their problem isn’t with the marijuana bill — it’s on the lack of a coronavirus deal.
“The focus of constituents — the real call for action, the real unmet needs out there — are emergency relief for the pandemic,” @AnthonyBrownMD4 told me earlier this week.
“The focus of constituents — the real call for action, the real unmet needs out there — are emergency relief for the pandemic,” @AnthonyBrownMD4 told me earlier this week.
Hi let’s talk “scheduling” b/c it’s confusing. Bills are not OFFICIALLY scheduled until really close to the vote - either end of the week before or literally the week of or day of. Until then it’s an “expected vote.” Right now the #MOREAct is expected for week of 9/21. (1/)
So when lawmakers say the schedule on a vote has or hasn’t changed, there isn’t really a schedule TO change yet, so of course it hasn’t. It’s an easy way for them to deflect an answer. (2/)
We should have a schedule from Hoyer’s office probably at the end of this week and then we’ll know if expectations are fulfilled - aka if the bill is officially scheduled or not. And, also, THAT could change too. Votes can always be added in at short notice, or pulled. (3/)
Republicans: Pelosi will vote on marijuana, but not another COVID relief package.
@senatemajldr McConnell's office sent this email around just now, with an entire section dedicated to slamming House Democrats on the #MOREAct vote, scheduled for later this month. #cannabisnews
@senatemajldr McConnell's office sent this email around just now, with an entire section dedicated to slamming House Democrats on the #MOREAct vote, scheduled for later this month. #cannabisnews
The email also references language added to the HEROES Act -- the coronavirus bill the House passed in May -- which would make banking services more accessible for the cannabis industry. At the time it was billed as a public health issue b/c it would end cash transactions.
Even back in May/June, Republicans took shots at House Dems over including the #SAFEBanking Act in the HEROES covid bill. Even minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) who voted for the banking bill in the House, said it didn't belong in the HEROES bill.
The House will vote on #cannabis reform soon, and the vote is a calculated risk Democrats are willing to take.
Why?
They say it shows their commitment to criminal justice reform and that the GOP Senate accomplishes squat.
My latest for @politico: politico.com/news/2020/09/0…
Why?
They say it shows their commitment to criminal justice reform and that the GOP Senate accomplishes squat.
My latest for @politico: politico.com/news/2020/09/0…
Reps @RepCohen and @repblumenauer told me they believe voting on the #MOREAct could put pressure on specific senate races.
“It'll become an issue that the Republicans couldn't bring it up, and then you gotta have a Democratic majority to get it to a vote,” Cohen said.
“It'll become an issue that the Republicans couldn't bring it up, and then you gotta have a Democratic majority to get it to a vote,” Cohen said.
An big part of this gamble is election turnout. Politicians are trying not only to convince ppl to vote their team, but also just to go vote. House Dems hope if they federally legalize weed, that will incentivize Dems to vote, given its popularity. politico.com/news/2020/09/0…
Press conference going on right now with lawmakers and advocates calling for Congress to vote on the #MOREAct - to deschedule cannabis and expunge records - this September. zoom.us/w/97028512238?…
"There's no better illustration of the nation's failed war on drugs than Baltimore," says Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby. #cannabis
There are a number of former law enforcement officers at this press conference, talking about drug enforcement and how it needs to change.
"Passing the MORE Act is necessary for dramatic police reform," says Maj. Neil Franklin from Baltimore.
"Passing the MORE Act is necessary for dramatic police reform," says Maj. Neil Franklin from Baltimore.
