Bill would decriminalize marijuana while leaving state laws unchanged. Hows a top member explained the bill to members. Marijuana oppo reinvestment and expungement act 2020, or the more act of 2020. I am with great determination American People who in a ajority of democrats and republicans understand the importance of the more act, and it is important to pass a long overdue measure and of my ge the rest colleagues to do so as well. Promote ise today to drug use. Thoset rise today to harm young people who are in the beginning of their life. Today to undermine Law Enforcement. N fact, in speaking to a representative of the Law Enforcement community, dealing legislation detailing this legislation, there was a great relief and understanding and the justice that will be rendered with the act. Ge of the more it has taken us a long time to get here, and i would like to thank e opportunity to all of those who made it possible for us to consider this today. In particular, my colleague, our house Judiciary Committee, the author of this bill, chairman jerry nadler. Has worked without ceasing on this legislation. Determined wo very colleagues whove continued their advocacy and they were particularly instrumental in us here, congresswoman barbara lee, and congressman earl blumenauer. Summarize the provisions of the more act, they fall into three categories. Remove imply it would marijuana or cannabis from the list or the schedule of substances. Ntrolled this means that going forward, individuals could no longer be for cuted federally marijuana offenses. This does not mean that marijuana would now be legal in entire United States, as some have tried to argue. Remove the ply federal government from interfering with state laws and structures from the business of prosecuting marijuana cases and would leave question of legality to the individual states. Those states choosing to do so. Nalize can without ongoing interference from the federal government. That choose to continue to make marijuana asegal can continue to do so well. Second, the bill would establish taxation structure to collect a sales tax on marijuana, which over the course of five years 5 to 8 . Ease from the funds collected through this to establish a rust to do good to reinvest in communities ravaged by the war on drugs. Firsthand by living and growing up in those communities, those communities communities those beyond. What i would also say it would relief. Nking businesses who ultimately will legislation s legal will have the legal right and opportunity to secure relationships. The trust fund will be used for rehabilitation and Reentry Department of justice, and for programs in the Small Business administration to the growing marijuana market is diverse and pens up opportunities for entrepreneurship in communities that have been adversely impacted by the war on drugs. My he last week in community, a bright young because ofwas killed marijuana, marijuana sales. Light, yes, was extinguished in a minute with violence. Is what we want to see eliminated. We want a government structure saves lives. Inally, the bill would expunge and seal federal marijuana a ests and convictions and muchneeded measure to try to undo the damage thats been done o our communities since marijuana was arbitrarily placed on the list of controlled 1970. Nces back in the numbers are staggering. But most of all, the numbers are with the imbalance, prosecution of africanamericans latinx heritage, hispanic heritage. Imbalance, what a massive infusion of ncarceration across this nation. Thousands of men and women have suffered needlessly from the federal criminalization of arijuana, particularly in communities of color and have borne the burden of collateral ensneeredes for those in the criminal legal system thats damaged our society across generations. Is unacceptable and we must change our laws. It is time for congress to catch with the reforms that states have enacted. Its time for congress to catch americans. 36 states, the district of columbia, puerto rico, and guam legaldopted laws allowing access to cannabis. 15 states, the district of columbia, and the Northern Islands have adopted legalizing cannabis for use. Ational the state Legal Cannabis industry already employs almost a quarter of a Million People federal government needs to get out of the way of forelevel decisions making their citizens. We need to open the door to research, Better Banking and tax laws. Help fuel Economic Growth in this industry. We need to save lives. We need to help young people. Need to bring our nation together. Without ed to do this continuing to spend federal resources on criminalization and unjust incarceration for marijuana offenses. We need to pass the more act. Why i support and that is why i believe its important and support this bill today, and i ask my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. He gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield three minutes to the from he good dr. Good doctor from the state of South Carolina. The peaker pro tempore gentleman is recognized is recognized, the gentleman from South Carolina. North carolina. Thank you, mr. Speaker. Rise today in opposition of h. R. 3884, the marijuana and tunity reinvestment expungement act. As a practicing physician for this bill deeply troubles me, especially with its implications for our youth population. Marijuana is one of the most this substances on planet. I will say i am sympathetic to marijuana for pain relief. I really am. Its been clinically proven to activity in this area. 2020, study july, considered the t. H. C. Component cannabis can be the main ulprit in psychosis and schizophrenia. A five times increase in cannabis users. The u. S. Surgeon general agreed health risks ous associated with the use of marijuana in adolescence and in pregnancy. Murphy the bill fails to have t. H. C. Dards to concentrates or edibles from hands of the adolescents and young adults are still growing. This bill disrespects states to prevent s violence and the use of firearms n growing and distributing marijuana. Lastly, it allows for the potential of marijuana revenue o fund criminal organizations, gangs or cartels. Ive been to the border and have smuggling seen what operations this legislation might allow. Would galizing weed create revenue from taxes. But at what cost . Do we then start legalizing cocaine . Marijuana is a gateway drug, mistake about that. It undoubtedly leads to further drug ch more dangerous use. And while i do believe that edical marijuana can have some activity in chronic pain or hose with cancer, this bill simply goes way too far. I will vote against it on the my e floor, and i urge colleagues to do the same. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the carolina from north yields back. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee just for a want to r. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five to slative days in which revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material 3884. Just for a moment, mr. Speaker, marijuana is not a gateway drug. Withoutker pro tempore objection. Ms. Jackson lee its not a gateway drug. Scientific le evidence demonstrating that the use of marijuana does not cause other illicit substances. According to the national abuse, the drug majority of marijuana users do not use other harder substances. Not have any provision to sell marijuana to children. Im delighted to yield one johnson, a. Distinguished member of the house Judiciary Committee. You. Ohnson thank the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Madam nson thank you, chair. I rise in support of the more act. Targeting drugs communities of color, primarily, advent of d in the the Prison Industrial Complex consumed theon and lives of countless individuals and families. And brown ack children in our country have grown up without a parent governmentsponsored crony capitalism which saw rofits in policies that put people in prison rather than dealing with drug abuse as a issue. Health the criminalization of marijuana disenfranchise an entire generation of black men and women. Important t is an step forward towards more enlightened policy, and im favor of this n bill, and i encourage my colleagues to do the same. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the yields back. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan mr. Speaker, id yield three minutes to the mr. Eman from florida, gaetz. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida is recognized. Mr. Gaetz i thank the gentleman for yielding. Is flawed. T it uses cannabis policy to do a of social engineering to create new taxes and new and redistribution of assets. But i am here as the only of the an cosponsor more act, and im voting for it. Because the federal government of this to the people country about marijuana for a generation. Generation, a particularly of black and brown youth, locked up for offenses should not have resulted in any incarceration whatsoever. Troubled that the current policy the federal government inhibits research cannabis. Research that could unlock cures nd help people live better lives. My republican colleagues today will make a number of arguments bill, but those arguments are overwhelmingly people. Ith the american in every state where cannabis reform was on the ballot in this it passed. It passed with overwhelming support. As a matter of fact, the only i know thats more popular than getting out of the war on drugs is getting out of war in afghanistan. Ut if we were measuring the success in the war on drugs, it would be hard to conclude anything other than the fact won. Drugs have because the American People do ot support the policies of incarceration, limited research, limited choice, and constraining medical application. We are here in a time where many people in our country are suffering. They are in pain. And its documented that states with hat medical cannabis programs see a eduction in the prescribing of opioids, the number of opioid abuses and deaths. House hearings in the Judiciary Committee where people in our government must confess hat this is in fact true, that the more we give people access to medical cannabis programs the see a blunting of this horrible scourge of opioid addiction and opioid abuse. We talk all the time on the right about the need to empower people and empower states. Right now the federal policy on cannabis constrains our people, it limits our states. And i would only hope in the 117th congress, after this bill invariably dies in the senate, well come back and pass the states act. The states act acknowledges that we have screwed this up in the federal government. While we have screwed it up, states have taken action, they have designed programs in the way in the way our great federal system promises. If we pass the states act, best practices would emerge, states that developed applicable programs for their people, and we would see better policies. Im going to vote for the more act. It wont pass the stat. It wont become law. We should come back in the 117th congress and we should truly do more for our people. I thank the gentleman. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from florida yield back. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee let me first thank the gentleman from florida for making this a bipartisan bill. I thank him for his insight. I know that we will have many opportunities to work together. I might add, if we pass the more act, we will allow veterans, hospitals, doctors to be engaged in research to help our returning soldiers and veterans who are suffering from a variety of diseases that may be impacted by marijuana use. Im delighted now to yield to mr. Jeffreys, distinguished member of the Judiciary Committee and chair of the democratic caucus. Two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Jefferies i thank the distinguished gentlelady from texas for yielding. The failed war on drugs first began almost 50 years ago when Richard Nixon declared drug abuse public enemy number one. At the time there were less than 200,000 people incarcerated in america. Today there are 2. 3 million. Disdisproportionately black and latino. Many of those incarcerated over the years imprisoned for nonviolent drug offenses, including suppose of marijuana. The United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world. We have ruined lives. Families and communities. Its a stain on our democratcy. Democracy. The possession of marijuana is done in equal if not greater numbers by white americans when compared to black americans. And yet in community after community after community blacks and latinos make up approximately 75 to 80 of the arrests and prosecutions. How can that be . Marijuana use is either socially acceptable behavior or its criminal conduct. But it cant be socially acceptable behavior in some neighborhoods and criminal conduct in other neighborhoods when the dividing line is race. And thats why we must pass the more act, decriminalize marijuana in america, and bring to life the principle of liberty and justice for all. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york yields back. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio, mr. Jordan, is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. I was all over the state of ohio in the recent campaign. I was all over the country. I was in georgia, florida, wisconsin, pennsylvania, texas. All over the place. Person , not once did a come up to me, american citizen come up to me and say, you know what, the first thing i hope that congress does after this election, first major piece of legislation i hope the Congress Takes up after this election, is to legalize marijuana. Not once did that happen. This bill does more than that. This bill this bill its not enough to legalize marijuana. They want taxpayers to pay for it. This bill sets up a grant program. This is the marijuana business infrastructure bill. Sets up an office o in the department of justice. Office in the department of justice. Special office in the department of justice for the Marijuana Industry, grant dollars, taxpayer dollars. I didnt have anyone tell me you know what i hope the democrats first big bill, i hope its to give my tax dollars to the Marijuana Industry. Thats exactly whats happened here. This shouldnt surprise us. Think about what the democrats did earlier this week. Their first big hearing, their first hearing since the election in the Judiciary Committee was wednesday. The crime subcommittee. That was a hearing about letting criminals out of prison early because of the covid issue. Letting criminals out early in an environment where Violent Crime is increasing. We know this summer aggravated assaults up 14 , homicides up 53 . Democrat mayors and City Councils around the country in our major urban areas are defunding the police. In that overall environment, where homicides are up, aggravated assaults are up, they want to release criminals early. I want to read from the letter. Heres a letter that mr. Nadler and congresswoman bass sent to the attorney general back in march. We urge you to use every tool at your disposal to release at many prisoners as possible to protect from covid19. They go on to further state, this is the part thats scary, what you do with individuals who are highrisk of contracting covid19 who are not in low or minimum security facilities who have been convicted of serious offenses, we urge you to consider that even these individuals in these categories be assessed for relief. So even the most violent criminals, they were looking they were encouraging the attorney general to release on our streets. Oh, and just like with this marijuana bill, they wanted your tax dollars to pay for it. Grant program to the states, to release criminals early even the most violent criminals. In an environment where Violent Crime is up. Where our democrat mayors are defunding the police, and taking cops off the street. In that environment release criminals early, and oh, your tax dollars pay for it. Thats what they wanted to do. Now, and now they say, oh, by the way, its not just enough your tax dollars go to states to release criminals early in that environment when they are defunding the police and Violent Crime is up, we also want you to pay for the Marijuana Industry. You got to be kidding me. You got to be kidding me. They started the week off saying having a hearing on paying states to release criminals out of our jails. Now they are going to end the week by saying, taxpayers pay for the Marijuana Industry. This is crazy. This is exactly what they want to do. Think about this for a second. Think about a Small Business owner, lets pick any big, portland, Small Business owner in portland who this summer had their who pay their local taxes and this summer had their business destroyed because democrat leaders in that city would not protect their business, now democrats in congress are saying, oh, we want your federal tax dollars to be used to release criminals early, and to buttress the Marijuana Industry. Such a deal. Such a deal for the taxpayer. Thats what the democrats have prioritized this week in the United States congress. And its ridiculous. I reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee it is interesting my good friend has been in different places than we have been in the house Judiciary Committee, but he remains my good friend. Obviously our hearing this week was on the devastation of covid19 in the nations federal prisons. Lives that are lost and lives that could be lost if strong structures are not put in place. That is our job. I think the other point should be made is that we will be made safer by this legislation. I cant explain to him the life that i have led. The neighborhood that i lived in. The amazing loss of young lives over o marijuana because it was over marijuana because it was illegal. As we watched not only the life loss in blood shed, but the life lost in incarceration. Imbalanced incarceration. Huge sentences, the loss of opportunity of college, housing, of jobs. We are crying out for relief. Interestingly enough, two out o of three americans say marijuana should be legal, including a majority of both democrats and republicans. Finally, the taxation is on those who use marijuana. It is not on the Small Businessperson. It is on those who use or buy marijuana. I hope that we can move forward on what the American People want us to do. I am slighted to yield to the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Cicilline, distinguished member of the house Judiciary Committee. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from rhode island is recognized. How much time . Ms. Jackson lee two minutes. Search the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. The gentleman from rhode island. Mr. Cicilline thank you, mr. Speaker. Wars are costly. And the war on marijuana is no exception. This war has derailed lives, it has led to lost jobs and housing, it has torn families apart. And the cost of the war on marijuana have disproportionately fallen on the backs of black and latino people. As white entrepreneurs across the country support their families by running businesses selling marijuana, many black and latino people are spending time behind bars and criminalized for doing the same. In rhode island, a black person was 3. 3 times more likely to be arrested for possessing marijuana than a white person in 2018. Even though black and white people use marijuana at similar rates. Immigrants have been deported simply for using mare juan in states permitting use despite never being convicted of a crime. Targeting lowlevel marijuana offenders with harsh penalties has done little to make our community safer. The more act ends the criminalization of marijuana. Including rhode island who have legalized marijuana. People convicted of marijuana related charges are denied access to social programs or the ability to take out o Student Loans to further their education and careers. The more act helps fix that. This legislation redirect resources away from the prosecution of marijuana into a Community Investment and Public Health solution. It establishes an Opportunity Trust fund that provides resources for those who have marijuana related convictions, including job training and Substance Abuse treatment t moves us slows treatment. It moves us closer. The more act provides Restorative Justice by providing s. B. A. Loans forer businesses controlled by economically disadvantaged people. I thank chairman nadler for his leadership and introducing the more act. Im proud to be a cosponsor and urge my colleagues to vote in support of this historic legislation. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. I would just point out the American Medical Association put out a letter two days ago saying they oppose this legislation for the reasons that dr. Murphy highlighted in his opening remarks. I would also just again point out what the democrats in the Judiciary Committee committee did on wednesday. It was about releasing criminals from prisons early. Again just to read from the letter that the chairman of the Judiciary Committee sent to the attorney general of the united he says,arch 30, 2020, who has been convicted of serious offenses or who have high pattern risk scores, we urge you to consider that even these individuals in these categories be assessed for release. I dont know how you can say it any plainer. These are some of the most dangerous people in our federal prison system. They wanted the attorney general to look at releasing them into the public. Thats how they started the week. They are going to end the week by decriminalizing marijuana and giving american tax dollars to Business Owners to further the Marijuana Industry. I yield three minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The gentlelady from texas her comment that the more act would make us safer calls for a specific response. As representative jordan just said, the fact that the more act on the floor at this time epitomizes democrats misplaced priorities. It also puts on display their inclination to reckless disregard of consequences. Just like the clarion call to defund the police, followed rapidly by astonished surprise over the ensuing surging violence, democrats rush to legalize marijuana without any heed or response to the rising epidemic of drug driving across the country would mean more dead and injured americans on our highways. Mr. Bishop consider this, since 2013 in washington state, the number of fatal crash drivers who tested positive for t. H. C. Has more than doubled. In vermont, since 2010, fatal crashes linked to marijuana use have skyrocketed by 173 following that states decriminalization. 47 of orr gonians who died in a car crash in 2018 tested positive for marijuana according to the oregon state police. More, indiana drivers test positive for drugs than alcohol. The data are clear. When governments liberalize marijuana laws, motorists and passengers die. Law enforcement tells us they lack a reliable road side test to detect marijuana use or uniform standard to measure marijuana toxicity. Our defund the police democratic colleagues rushed to change the status quo across the entire country while refusing even to consider my commonsense amendment that would require the department of transportation to develop and prescribe best practices for testing drivers suspected of marijuana impairment. My amendment would help Law Enforcement keep people safe but democrats would rather prioritize criminals. A North Carolina sheriff recently called drug driving, quote, one of the leading killers in our state. Just like democrats efforts to defund police, the more acts unintended consequences will include increased danger for our families. I urge my colleagues to support americans safety by voting against this bill. Back. D the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from North Carolina yields back. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, can you share with us how much time is remaining . The speaker pro tempore the has 17. Man from texas ohio has 17 from minutes also. Ms. Jackson lee thank you very much. Let me indication this away ation does not take any responsibilities from the department of transportation in regulatory authority. And the facts belie any words regarding road safety. 2018 study of the National Bureau of Economic Research states if legalized have not experienced different rates of marijuana or traffic elated fatalities. All of the state laws dealing with driving under the influence remain. Operating a Motor Vehicle under the influence of marijuana is state. Llegal in every we insist on that. And even in these states that have legalized the substance and the more act leaves these in place. We need to talk about the many have occurred because of the violence over illegal marijuana. It. Seen weve seen it. Weve lost lives in their future weve lost them to their families. Im delighted to yield to the istinguished gentleman on the Judiciary Committee, mr. Correa, for two minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized for two minutes. To thank the want gentlelady for yielding and for his irman nadler leadership on this issue and hank him for calling on my amendment for a study on the use cannabis that will help veterans. Lets align federal cannabis laws with the will of the people. Take full advantage of the medical benefits of cannabis. That medical cannabis is good for treating things such as seizures, glaucoma, chronic pain and ptsd. Cannabis ns prefer over opioids. Let me repeat. Cannabis over opioids to treat the invisible wounds that they bring back from battlefield. Other nations like israel export cannabis products. Lets unleash Americas Free to take full tem advantage of the commercial benefits of cannabis. Get busy and do the will of the people. Act. Pass the more with that i yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. Is gentleman from ohio recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. To the three minutes gentleman from arizona. I thank the gentleman from ohio. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Thank you, sir. I thank the gentleman from ohio. Talk about what i view as a massive confusion in this bill. Weve heard arguments this morning already that states are i believe, his, and ultimately, thats where the regulation domestically should the states, but this bill deregulating cannabis federal tax, federal agencies, federal oversight. Biggs youre not eferralizing marijuana defederalizing marijuana. Youre changing the structure on marijuana. Thats interesting. Find it very disingenuous in some ways. Does is obviates Congress Constitutional obligation to manage or oversee commerce. Thats what this bill does. Youre throwing a federal tax on all these folks. Problem. Bit of a ut it goes to an enhanced problem. As long as we have the massive and growing social welfare state today, we will ncur whatever detriment comes from decriminalization nationally of marijuana. Must, in my opinion, have a erious discussion on this and of a bill thats a mish mash deas and hopes instead of datadriven science. As the gentleman from north to us. A just iterated it is a problem. If you prosecuted and defended and i did both. I did it for many years. I my specialty, the area focused on was drunk and drug cases. It is a problem, and it is xacerbated by the decriminalization and of marijuana use in the states. Address that not appropriately. This bill does not do anything different, ovide a federal mishmash of laws over marijuana regulation. For a serious this ue some time about issue. I have to close by saying this. When i heard all the states that ave passed this have done so overwhelmingly, arizona rejected it three times before barely time. G it this barely passing it this time. Thats in an election thats right now. Sted even i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. He gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee thank you. I hope my good friend would not the abilitytion for for there to be research on the and as well ana Substance Abuse and as well to a vide a healing and restoration of these broken communities that have suffered of marijuana arrests, incarceration and prosecution. Doing in the re more act. Im delighted to yield to ms. Dean of pennsylvania, of the ished member Judiciary Committee, for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from pennsylvania is recognized the gentlewoman is one minute. Or ms. Dean i thank my dear colleague. 3884, in support of h. R. The more act. Since the war on drugs began, the nations prison population from 300,000 to a staggering 2. 2 Million People bars. In the decade between 2001 and 8. 2 Million People were arrested on marijuana charges. 90 of those arrests were for simply having marijuana. Fact that ing is the despite use rates are equal, are four times more likely than white americans to be arrested for marijuana. Have of color disproportionately borne the burdens of these draconian policies. Longer prison sentences, and the lifetime economic consequences of having a record. Generations of black and hispanic communities have suffered. Apart. S ripped businesses shuttered. Educati educations unfinished. Law nor order. Its injustice. We have an opportunity here to wrongs. R the more act is a sweeping effort for equity to our criminal Justice System. Removing marijuana from the controlled substances act and requiring federal courts to convictions, the bill goes a long way to reduce disparities and plague our criminal Justice System. Arijuana reform is long overdue. I thank the gentlewoman for bringing the bill forward, and i yield back. The peaker pro tempore gentlewoman yields back. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. R. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. I would yield to the gentleman police nesota, former officer whos seen firsthand what drugs can do to individuals nd to communities, three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from minnesota is recognized. Mr. Speaker. Mikes western cafe, a years, un diner for 38 closed its doors in duluth, october , for good on 7. On october 25, waters of an art gallery and b boutique, went out of business. The 27th of last month, randmas in the park bar and grill, a local watering hole, quits. Ced to call it mr. Stauber and after 10 years candy ness, the Duluth Company is closing up shop for 31. On december these are just a few stories of people, real Small Business owners in my district hat are losing their livelihoods due to effects of closures. 19 with nearwe are today days left in the year to get something done for the american suffering, and Speaker Pelosi has brought up a legalization bill. Pops shops close for good, as families remain their next ere paycheck is coming from, as hildren struggle to receive heir education and childcare facilities close, as seniors emain isolated from their families, this is their solution . A drug legalization bill . My friends on the other side of out that like to point they have passed the heroes act o they claim they have done their part. The heroes act was filled with list itemstisan wish that it was embarrassing. N fact, Speaker Pelosi is so obsessed with pushing drug legalization efforts forward, even put provisions in the can s act, rather, if you believe this, a new annual study was versity and inclusion in the within the Marijuana Industry. Man. On, families are losing their livelihoods. Hurting. E Speaker Pelosis answers to of e families is its out her hands. It is not out of our hands. Responsibility and opportunity to provide relief to American People. We have the power to do better harder and be better this. It is time we think about the our constituents et back to work on legislation that matters. Be priorities should not egalizing drugs or banning tigers. T must be bipartisan targeted covid19 relief, and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from ohio reserves. He gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, can i inquire how much time is remaining . The speaker pro tempore the entlewoman from texas has 13 1 2 minutes remaining. The gentleman from ohio has 11 remaining. Ms. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, am most how should i say it . Honestly grateful for in the backdrop of thanksgiving is that we had a speaker of the house that never stopped negotiating nd trying to find relief for the dying americans and those covid19 with a major infusion of dollars almost ago. Months im grateful for that. Im grateful that we are now in if you will, late but negotiations and that we are committed not to to go homeplace, not for any holidays before we rovide relief for the American People. I am grateful for that. That is going to happen. To note s important that work is going on, led by hope we willand we have the right partner to be save the lives of the American People who are now covid19. From the more act also saves lives. To one ofted to yield the strongest advocates for the lives, to help young people, congresswoman california, of distinguished member of the appropriations committee, for three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the california is m recognized for three minutes. Ms. Lee thank you very much. The of all, let me thank gentlelady for yielding and just said. Hasize what you just i am so proud to vote for the eroes act twice nearly eight months ago. I think we have to move forward and continue to negotiate and hopeful we will get votes on the other side of the aisle to help save lives and to help save businesses and to help our recovery. But i was proud to have voted already. Twice so thank you, congresswoman jackson lee, for your tremendous this bill in bringing to the floor. The marijuana opportunity einvestment and expungement act, the more act. And let me just thank chairman cochair d our fellow of the cannabis caucus, congressman earl blumenauer. Respective staff, and everyone for their effort, ncluding the house judiciary staff. Your hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. To call your attention to the advocates for their dedication and educating issue. Lic on this this bill is an important Racial Justice measure. Its the product of years of so many activists and advocates and young people, and its long overdue. The more act includes my legislation the marijuana justice act and refer act which is the first marijuana Racial Justice bills introduced in congress. This landmark legislation would end the federal prohibition and decriminalize cannabis nationwide by removing it from the list of controlled substances. Which is a major step, mind you, a major step toward ending the unjust war on drugs and racial inexwhich is central to these laws. This bill will facilitate expungement of low level federal cannabis convictions, create pathways for cannabis ownership and opportunities for community of color, and provide Critical Resources for those most devastated by the war on drugs for Restorative Justice to repair this damage. I would like to just mention and ask for unanimous consent to insert into the record a statement by the chair of our ways and Means Committee, mr. Richard neal. I would like to read a portion of his statement as it relates to ways and means tax issue which mr. Blumenauer will discuss further. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Ms. Lee mr. Neal has addressed an issue that came to our attention as an exclusion in this measure and made a commitment. He says that he looks forward to continuing work with the measures sponsors and other committees of jurisdictions to achieve an effective tax regime that supports a vibrant legal markets and provides individuals the affected by this it and opportunity to fulfill and fully participate in this emerging economy. Make no mistake, i want to thank the chair of the ways and Means Committee for helping us pick several provisions of this important bill. Make no mistake, this is a major Racial Justice bill. According to the aclu black americans are four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis related crimes. Nay i have an additional 30 seconds. May i have an additional 30 seconds. Ms. Jackson lee i yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds. Ms. Lee black and brown people are targeted more frequently than white americans despite equal rates of youth. Prison senses for black and brown people are more likely to be lengthier than white people. Black men receive sentences over 13 longer than white men. And nearly 80 of people in federal prisons for drug offenses are black or latino. And so its time to end these unjust laws which shatter the lives of so many young people of color. I tell you, we have got to, colleagues, we have got to give our young people a second chance. Please vote yes on this bill to help us move our o Unfinished Business of liberty and justice for all forward. We have got to begin to really provide Racial Justice, crack these changes of systemic racism in this mass incarceration judicial system. Thank you again, very much, madam chair. I urge an aye vote. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. The gentleman from ohio. Mr. Jordan i yield two minutes to the fine gentleman from the state of mississippi. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank my colleague from ohio for the time. Yesterday was big cats, today its big cannabis. When is it time for real covid relief . When is it time for us to help our constituents, our Small Businesses are struggling and exhausted frontline workers and teachers. To legalize marijuana or o not is one thing. To pass a bill that has no recourse for states that dont want mass legalization which totals 35 states is irresponsible. To not limit or regulate potentcy is carelessness. To not do anything with advertising like videotaping when the industry targeted kids and scenes is legs. To provide funding for the f. D. A. To manage the Regulatory Framework is reckless. Mr. Palazzo take marijuana out of the scenario, none of us would support a reckless, neglect, careless and irresponsible bill this. Flawed legislation is not time sensitive, does not require consideration this week, and should not take priority over the various very serious and real issues facing our country. There are real external threats facing our nation. We should focus on strengthening america and not weakening it. There is a lot to be done before the end of the year and Congress Must be focused on rebuilding our economy and restoring our way of life. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee my pleasure to yield three minutes to, again, one of the determined and strong advocates for this legislation, mr. Blumenauer of oregon, distinguished member of the ways and Means Committee. Three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oregon is recognized for three minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you. I just heard my friend from mississippi talk about we shouldnt be dealing with things like this because the times not right. His voters just approved medical marijuana. One of five states that approved. Arizona didnt barely pass it, it was 60 . We are not rushing to legalize marijuana. The American People have already done that. We are here because congress has failed to deal with a disastrous war on drugs and do its part for the over 50 million regular marijuana users in every one of your districts. We are here because we failed the parents of babies with extreme seizure disorders and why 10 states have stepped up because the only thing that stops those babies from being tortured is medical cannabis. Thats why 10 states have approved provisions like that. We are here because congress has failed to deal with our veterans whose wounds, seen and unseen, will give them opioids but we dont deal with giving them withs to something dealing medical cannabis which is safer than the opioids we give them. They suffer opioid deaths at a higher rate than the general population. We are here because congress has failed with research. We want to do have a test for impairment. 150,000 drivers for beer and wine wholesalers want to be able to test. Congress has stood in the way of research. There is plenty of money, we dont have the authority to do it. We are here because, speaking of Small Business, because the senate has failed to follow through on a 17 billion industry that doesnt have access to financial services. Its an invitation to money laundering, to theft, to tax evasion. For an industry that is pitched by my friends, fellow ohioan, john boehner, who is now a spokesman for the industry. I have worked on this issue for 47 years. I, too, have traveled the country. I have never met an american who feels that this industry should pay its taxes with shopping bags full of 20 bills. We are here because we have failed our children. Children in each of your districts can get a joint easier than they can get a sixpack of beer. Because no Neighborhood Drug dealer checks for i. D. They dont have a license to lose. Thats why we want to have a system that regulates, to protect our children. Right now kids are not protected. They are victims to a black market that you allow to continue. We are here because we have failed three generations of black and brown young people whose lives can be ruined or lost by selective enforcement of these laws. This legislation will end that disaster. Ms. Jackson lee yield an additional 30 seconds. Mr. Blumenauer thank you. Its time for congress to step up and do its part. We need to catch up with the rest of the American People. I just want to thank stephanie phillips, willie smith, julia pomeroy, amber ray, laura thrift, jason little, David Skillman people who have been working with me on this for a decade. Im proud that we are at this moment and im proud that we are going to have an opportunity to approve the more act and for congress to step up and do its job so we catch up to your constituents. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Jordan i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from missouri. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized for two minutes. Mrs. Hartzler thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to the more act which legalizes marijuana across the United States. As a mother and a former Public School teacher, i am appalled that this of this legislations disregard for the health and safety of our children, schools, and families. And im also shocked and appalled by the previous speakers claim that this legislation is good for children and using children as an excuse to pass this bill and legalize it across this country. This more act would grant the Marijuana Industry unfettered access to our nations youth by allowing the sale of edibles and flavored marijuana vapes and permitting marijuana businesses to be located within 1,000 feet of schools, takes, private kindergartens, public parks, and recreational facilities. The bill also opens the floodgates or advertising high potency and extremely dangerous products on tv and social media. A place where our kids are spending countless hours every day. We need to consider three critical points before voting today. First, research has shown that people who use marijuana at a young age are more prone to addictive habits later in life as it activates the pleasure receptors of the brain. Second, longterm marijuana use has been linked by research to Mental Illness such as hallucination, temporary paranoia, depression, suicidal thoughts, violent behavior, and schizophrenia. And third, these findings were serious enough to lead the u. S. Surgeon general to declare an advisory for marijuana use emphasizing, that quote, a recent incross in access to marijuana and poentcy along with misperceptions of safety and marijuana, endanger our most precious resource, our nations youth, end quote. The house should be discussing a responsible covid relief package to aid the American People during the pandemic, but instead, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are focusing on legalizing marijuana. Where are our priorities . The more act completely undermines Current Research and Health Warnings and puts our children in danger. I call on my colleagues to vote no on this irresponsible and dangerous bill. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i thank you, mr. Speaker. Let me just say that the aggressive enforcement of Marijuana Possession laws needlessly ensnares hundreds of thousands of people into the criminal Justice System and wastes billions of taxpayer dollars. I can assure you that states are able to protect our children, which we will discuss in a later moment. Im delighted now to be able to yield to the gentlelady from new york, the chairwoman of the Small Business committee, ms. Velazquez, for one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york is recognized for one minute. Ms. Velazquez mr. Speaker, i rise in support of this legislation because it will restore justice to our most marginalized communities, and it will boost our economy. I thank Speaker Pelosi, chairman nadler, and my fellow chairs for bringing this legislation to the floor today. The more act takes meaningful action to address systemic injustices by removing cannabis from its current classification as a schedule 1 drug and Incentivizing States to expunge lowlevel possession records. As chair of the Small Business committee, i am proud to have championed measures, including in the bill, that will expand Capital Access and further Small BusinessDevelopment Resources to the cannabis sector. Because we cannot forget that while communities of color have disproportionately suffered from the socalled war on drugs, they have also been locked out of traditional capital markets. That is why the more act is the best legislation to advance progress on this issue. I urge my colleagues to vote yes. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio, mr. Jordan, is recognized. Mr. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield two minutes to the gentleman from the great state of nebraska, mr. Smith. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Smith thank you. I appreciate the time. Mr. Speaker, much of the debate we have heard today has been about criminal justice and child safety implications of this bill. Id like to focus on the trubbling aspect of this bill in the tax title. This bill would create a new federal tax on marijuana starting at 5 in the first year and escalating to 8 after five years. We always hear about tax parity in this chamber, and yet the treatment of these products compared to tobacco are vastly different. Let me say again this bill taxes marijuana which has the otential to Impact Society really in unknown ways or at least in ways we should all be concerned about. Than half the rate of a tax half the tax rate of a pack of cigarettes. Once these taxes are created, rather than treating them as eneral revenue where they will actually could actually help defray the cost with the treasurys to tax would divert tax revenue into four brand new government to make including one it to create subsidies for actually. , this bill creates new criminal penalties for failure to pay the taxes. Actually this isnt really criminal justice reform. Its actually creating different type of penalties and riminalizations and would likely lead to jail for smalltime dealers for tax for selling ad of their product. Mr. Speaker, i dont support the this ying purposes of bill. The legalization itself nationwide. Cant n if i did, i support the terribly flawed design in terms of taxation and overall form of this bill. Weve been waiting for months serious rats to get about covid relief, focusing on economyly reopening our and helping folks who need it the most. Et, here we are today talking about legalization bill yet again. Bad bill at the wrong time. I urge opposition. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, may i inquire of the time remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas has four remaining. The gentleman from ohio has 5 minutes remaining. He gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, im delighted to yield to the distinguished gentleman from mr. Davis, a distinguished member of the ways minute. S committee, one the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for one minute. Mr. Davis thank you, mr. Speaker. Rise in support of the more act, which allows the federal catch up to begin to with the 47 states, like which have already reformed their marijuana use other. One way or the ass incarceration, which disproportionately affect black nd brown citizens has been aided and abetted by marijuana laws which result in more than arrests annually. He expungement provisions in this legislation will allow hundreds of thousands of get their records expunged so they can more pursue ically enthusiastically pursue legitimate jobs and work to take themselves and their families. Whose e act is an idea time has come. Yes and at we vote yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. He gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. R. Jordan thank you, mr. Speaker. I think well reserve. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee thank you, mr. Speaker. My pleasure to yield to mrs. Maloney of new york, the distinguished chair of the committee, one minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from new york is recognized for one minute. Mrs. Maloney i thank the her leadership. Thank you, chairwoman lee, for issue, dership on this and so many others. And thank you for yielding. Rise in support of the more act. I applaud my colleagues, hairman nadler, and Vice President elect harris for their leadership. Its past Time Congress answers he call for reform for lowlevel marijuana conviction justice. His sweeping legislation would officially remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances. Protect medical cannabis and expunge lowlevel marijuana convictions that have harmed peopletely in communities of color. The more act would also help whose convictions are overturned through an Opportunity Trust fund that job training, reentry assistance, and legal aid. About criminalus justice reform, we need to get the antikuwaited laws that cannabis harm people of color. That. Re act would do just i urge a yes vote. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. He gentlewoman from texas is recognized. He gentleman from ohio is recognized. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio. Well dan i think reserve, too, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. S. Jackson lee mr. Speaker, its my pleasure to yield to the istinguished gentlelady from hawaii, ms. Gabbard. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from hawaii is minute. Ed for one ms. Gabbard thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Finally, this is a historic moment that so many here and the country have been working towards to take this step to end americas costly war on drugs that has turned Everyday Americans into criminals and families apart, ruining so many peoples lives. This legislation removes from the controlled substances act and frees states choose ate it as they and encourages research into the medicinal qualities of this are that we already know changing peoples lives and lives. Peoples it also applies retroactively prior ng expunging convictions and records, freeing a generation of people from the war on of this failed drugs. The bottom line is this vote is about freedom. Its about freedom of choice for american to make their own decisions for themselves without and of a government coming arresting them. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Pass it e should quickly so we can send it to the president for his signature. Back. D the speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from hawaii yields back. The gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio reserves. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee does the gentleman have any further speakers . Then we the speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. Ms. Jackson lee then were prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas reserves. The gentleman from ohio is recognized. Mr. Ordan thank you, speaker. House democrats started the week off with a hearing on letting criminals out of jail early. End the week with a bill legalizing drugs. They want the american taxpayers to pay for both programs. Earlierroduced the bill in the year to give grant dollars to the states to let criminals out of jail early, ones, according to the letter mr. Nadler and chairwoman bass sent to the attorney general. They want to create a trust fund in this bill to give grants to the Marijuana Industry marijuana the industry. These are the actions the take. Ats first actions they take after a election. Go figure. Maybe thats why they lost 27 tossup seats around the country. Maybe thats why our party almost took back the majority. They choose to focus on at a time when you have democrat leaders around the defunding the police, locking down businesses, destroying Small Businesses all our nation. And this is what they choose to focus on. This is what they choose to on. S i urge a no vote on the legislation and yield back the time. E of our the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from ohio yields back. The gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Lee i yield myself time. Lance of the let me indicate very quickly, every 37 r, that 2001 between 2010 and 2010 there were eight secondsarrests every 37 for marijuana. The war 3. 6 billion on n marijuana and it has not worked. We do today what saves lives. We know that states are going to able to continue to protect their children. Nd this does not undermine the ability of congress to protect children as well. And every state thats legalized has developed a comprehensive set of regulations to protect consumers. Also recognize that this issue of vaping is not generated marijuana use. And with a comprehensive able to , well be protect children and not be children. Rijuana to those who have died in our now live and as well we will further understand a structure e of thats about restoration of justice. Against people of color has been a tragedy. To be e act is crucial able to pass, and i ask my colleagues to do so vigorously also fight for covid19. Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge gransburger, christina, lee, earl blumenauer, [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National able satellite corp. 2020] watch the rally live on cspan, saturday at 7 00 p. M. Eastern. Then on sunday, senator loeffler and her democratic challenger hold a debate ahead of the georgia elections on january 5. Well have live debate coverage at 7 00 p. M. Eastern. You can also watch these events live online at cspan. Org or you can listen with the free cspan radio app. President trump is questioning the results and has not conceded the november election. On sunday night, on q a, we look back at two of the most contentious president ial transitions in u. S. History. In 1861 between James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln. And in 1933, between harbetter hoover and franklin roosevelt. With historians. Several Southern States did not recognize the election of Abraham Lincoln as legitimate. They considered him a sectional president for the fact that by and large his support came from nonslave states and so no sooner had he been electriced than South Carolina makes good on its promise to proceed toward conceding from the union. Hoover conceded the election on election day. He really had no choice given the resounding nature of the vote and the way it was reported in the press and it was clear that he had lost the election. But he never conceded the substance of the argument. He continued to believe that the new deal, as roosevelt framed it during the campaign, and began to work towards it after the election, represented a fundamental threat toward the american way of life and so he devoted himself to preventing roosevelt from being able to enact it. Contentious president ial transitions, sunday night at 8 00 p. M. Eastern on cspans q a. Former House Speaker john boehner joined a discussion on the Incoming Biden Administration and the 117th congress. The mir i hadian International Conversation also included former transportation secretary Rodney Slater who served in the linton administration. Ms. Verstandig thank you, thank you. Its an honor and privilege to be here. Meridian has been very much a part of my personal and professional life and i very much appreciate the opportunity to be in dialogue with this distinguished group of panelists today who are both friends and colleagues and i think that group is very much representative of the things that you just laid out. And theyre the themes of disgraced democratic experience thigr