The Reintroduced MORE Act: Is Federal Cannabis Legalization Finally on the Horizon?

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In a recent press release from Congressman Jerrold Nadler (1), announced that the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act was reintroduced again in the US Congress. With Congressman Nadler, Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs, Dina Titus and Ilhan Omar, as well as House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez, joined in on moving the comprehensive cannabis reform legislation forward. This bill would federally deschedule cannabis and remove the plant from the federal Controlled Substances Act (2,3). With its new position, states would have the option to legalize cannabis and regulate the markets in their states without the federal government (2). Additionally, the MORE Act would expunge records of individuals with prior convictions (1,3).

“I am proud to reintroduce the MORE Act today. As more states continue to legalize marijuana and public support increases, federal laws must catch up and reverse failed policies criminalizing marijuana,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (1). “It is long past time to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, expunge marijuana convictions, and facilitate resentencing, while reinvesting in the communities most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs. I thank my colleagues, Representatives Dina Titus and Ilhan Omar, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, as well as Representative Nydia Velázquez for their work on this legislation as we continue to push for this much-needed change.”

“As Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus, I am proud to support the reintroduction of the MORE Act, comprehensive legislation that is long overdue,” said Rep. Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus (1). “It’s time to modernize our laws to reflect the reality of cannabis use in the United States, recognize the legitimate industry that has emerged, and fully embrace the medical benefits of the plant. The federal government must catch up to the states, and this bill provides a framework to end the failed War on Drugs while supporting communities and businesses nationwide.”

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I understand how deeply the War on Drugs has devastated families and fueled racial disparities in arrests and incarceration without making us safer," said Rep. Ilhan Omar, Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus (1). "The MORE Act will decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, clear records, and reinvest in the communities most harmed by these failed policies. In Minnesota we have already shown that legalization can deliver both fairness and economic opportunity. It is past time for the federal government to follow our lead and finally end the era of criminalization.”

“For too long, communities of color have carried the weight of unfair marijuana laws that fueled incarceration and denied people opportunity,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee (1). “The MORE Act is about justice, about giving people a second chance, and about making sure small businesses and workers in these communities can share in the benefits of legalization. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to reintroduce this bill and keep pushing for fairness and equity.”

In the press release it details (1):

• Decriminalizes marijuana at the federal level by removing the substance from the Controlled Substances Act. This applies retroactively to prior and pending convictions and enables states to set their own policy.
• Requires federal courts to expunge prior convictions, allows prior offenders to request expungement, and requires courts, on motion, to conduct re-sentencing hearings for those still under supervision.
• Authorizes the assessment of a 5% sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products to create an Opportunity Trust Fund, which includes three grant programs:
  • The Community Reinvestment Grant Program: Provides services to the individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, including job training, re-entry services, legal aid, literacy programs, youth recreation, mentoring, and substance use treatment.
  • The Cannabis Opportunity Grant Program: Provides funds for loans to assist small businesses in the marijuana industry that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
  • The Equitable Licensing Grant Program: Provides funds for programs that minimize barriers to marijuana licensing and employment for the individuals most adversely impacted by the War on Drugs.
• Opens up Small Business Administration funding for legitimate cannabis-related businesses and service providers.
• Provides non-discrimination protections for marijuana use or possession, and for prior convictions for a marijuana offense:
  • Prohibits the denial of any federal public benefit (including housing) based on the use or possession of marijuana, or prior conviction for a marijuana offense.
  • Provides that the use or possession of marijuana, or prior conviction for a marijuana offense, will have no adverse impact under the immigration laws.
• Requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to collect data on the demographics of the industry to ensure people of color and those who are economically disadvantaged are participating in the industry.

“Millions of Americans continue to suffer the consequences of the failed war on drugs—harms that have disproportionately impacted communities of color and other marginalized groups. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act represents a critical step forward, not only by decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level, but by offering meaningful pathways to justice through expungement and resentencing,” said Akua Amaning, Director for Criminal Justice Reform at Center for American Progress (1). “Its provisions also prioritize reinvestment and economic opportunity for those most affected by decades of criminalization. We urge Congress to pass this long-overdue legislation and take a decisive step towards ensuring equity, justice, and opportunity for all Americans.”

References

1. Reps. Nadler, Titus, Omar, and Velázquez Reintroduce Comprehensive Marijuana Reform Legislation https://nadler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397401 (accessed Sep 2, 2025).
2. Norml. US House lawmakers reintroduce the More Act https://norml.org/blog/2025/08/29/federal-house-lawmakers-reintroduce-legislation-removing-cannabis-from-the-controlled-substances-act/ (accessed Sep 2, 2025).
3. Colli, M. Congress passes two historic Cannabis Reform Bills https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/congress-passes-two-historic-cannabis-reform-bills (accessed Sep 2, 2025).