A Historic Push: The Federal Marijuana Bill Gains Momentum

king development has emerged. On September 10, 2025, a coalition of prominent organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sent a compelling letter to U.S. House leaders urging support for the Federal Marijuana Bill, formally known as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act of 2025 (H.R. 5068). This Marijuana Bill Federal initiative represents a pivotal step toward ending decades of prohibition that have disproportionately ravaged communities. As public opinion shifts dramatically, with a recent PRRI poll showing majority support across political lines for legalization, the timing couldn't be more critical. The letter, led by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), emphasizes that mere rescheduling under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) falls short—true reform demands descheduling to eliminate federal criminalization and its lingering harms. This push comes amid reports that the Trump administration might reclassify cannabis to Schedule III, a move that would ease some taxes but preserve penalties and conflicts between state and federal laws.

The Federal Marijuana Bill isn't just policy jargon; it's a comprehensive overhaul designed to rectify injustices. Reintroduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) for the fourth consecutive session, it has already passed the House twice under Democratic control, marking historic votes to remove marijuana from the CSA entirely. With over three dozen initial cosponsors, the bill addresses not only legalization but also equity, expungement, and economic reinvestment. As advocates rally online, discussions about the Marijuana Bill Online have surged on platforms like X and Reddit, amplifying calls for congressional action.

Unpacking the MORE Act: Descheduling's Bold Blueprint

At its core, the Federal Marijuana Bill seeks to deschedule marijuana from the CSA, meaning it would no longer be treated as a controlled substance at the federal level. This doesn't force states to legalize—regulatory choices remain local—but it resolves the chaotic patchwork where 24 states have fully legalized cannabis for adult use, and 38 allow medical access, clashing with federal bans. The bill imposes a federal excise tax starting at 5 percent for the first two years, incrementally rising to 8 percent by year five, generating revenue projected in billions for reinvestment.

Key provisions include automatic expungement of most federal marijuana convictions and a resentencing process for those incarcerated, potentially freeing thousands. It protects immigrants from deportation over cannabis-related issues and bars denial of federal benefits, like housing or food assistance, due to use or past juvenile offenses. Veterans would benefit too, as VA physicians could recommend state medical programs without federal hurdles. Research barriers crumble, eliminating CSA-specific red tape that has stifled scientific inquiry into cannabis's benefits.

Economically, the Marijuana Bill Federal creates an Opportunity Trust Fund from tax revenues: 50 percent funds community reinvestment grants for job training, legal aid, and services in War on Drugs-impacted areas; 40 percent supports Small Business Administration programs for equitable licensing; and 10 percent aids substance misuse treatment, applicable to any drug. A new Cannabis Restorative Opportunity Program offers loans to small businesses owned by those harmed by prohibition, fostering diversity in an industry where minorities hold only about 2 percent of ownership stakes, per recent studies.

Voices United: ACLU and Allies Demand Justice

The letter from the ACLU and over 40 other groups underscores the urgency. Signatories span civil rights giants like the Southern Poverty Law Center, labor unions such as the Service Employees International Union, and reform advocates including NORML, Last Prisoner Project, and Doctors for Drug Policy Reform. They argue that marijuana's CSA status has "disproportionately inflicted harm upon communities of color and poor people" for generations, fueling mass incarceration where Black Americans are arrested for possession at nearly four times the rate of whites, despite similar usage.

Directed at Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and all House members, the letter critiques potential rescheduling as inadequate, maintaining criminalization and collateral damages like job loss or benefit denial. It highlights how the MORE Act restores rights, eradicates licensing barriers for drug war victims, and mandates safety regulations for products. Online, the Marijuana Bill Online buzz includes petitions and threads dissecting the letter, with hashtags like #EndProhibition trending.

Data-Driven Case: Facts Fueling the Fight

Facts paint a stark picture. Since 2001, over 15 million marijuana arrests have occurred, costing taxpayers $3.6 billion annually in enforcement alone, according to ACLU reports. Legal states have seen crime drops—Colorado reported a 15 percent reduction in violent crime post-legalization—while generating $15 billion in tax revenue nationwide since 2014. The illicit market shrinks: In California, legal sales hit $5.3 billion in 2024, undercutting black market dominance.

Health data supports reform. Cannabis overdoses are virtually nonexistent, unlike opioids claiming 80,000 lives yearly. Medical use aids 3.7 million patients for conditions like chronic pain and PTSD, per state registries. Economically, the industry employs over 428,000 full-time workers, surpassing electrical engineers in number. The Federal Marijuana Bill could add $132 billion to GDP by 2028, creating 1.6 million jobs, estimates suggest.

Disparities persist: 88 percent of federal cannabis prisoners are nonviolent, many serving life for offenses now legal in states. Expungement could restore voting rights to 1.4 million, boosting civic engagement.

Ripple Effects: Communities and Economy Transformed

Beyond numbers, the human toll demands action. Communities of color, bearing 80 percent of War on Drugs arrests, face lifelong barriers to education, employment, and housing. The MORE Act's reinvestment targets these, funding mental health and reentry programs. In legal states, youth usage hasn't spiked—rates fell 8 percent among teens post-reform—debunking gateway myths.

Economically, descheduling unlocks banking, ending cash-only operations vulnerable to robbery. The SAFE Banking Act, a companion, has bipartisan support but doesn't go far enough without full legalization. Interstate commerce could flourish, standardizing quality and reducing prices.

Globally, the U.S. lags: Canada legalized in 2018, reaping $11 billion in revenue. Domestically, public support hits 70 percent, per Gallup, crossing party lines—54 percent of Republicans favor it.

Overcoming Hurdles: Addressing Critics Head-On

Critics fear increased impairment, but the bill mandates studies on industry demographics and worker safety, preserving drug testing for sensitive jobs. Packaging rules mimic tobacco, curbing youth appeal. Federal permits and $1,000 annual taxes per premise ensure oversight.

Rescheduling rumors highlight inertia: Schedule III keeps research limited and penalties intact, ignoring 650,000 annual arrests. The letter counters this, insisting descheduling is essential for equity.

The Dawn of Reform: Rallying for a Just Future

As the Federal Marijuana Bill advances, the ACLU's letter galvanizes momentum. This Marijuana Bill Federal isn't mere decriminalization—it's restorative justice, economic boon, and policy evolution. With online advocacy amplifying voices, lawmakers face a choice: perpetuate harm or embrace progress. Cosponsoring the MORE Act honors the 88 percent of Americans in legal-access states, mending a fractured system. The time for half-measures is over; full support promises a fairer America. Let's turn the page on prohibition.

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