In a historic vote, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act seeking to decriminalize cannabis and expunge convictions for non-violent cannabis offenses passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 4. The House voted 228-164 to pass the bill, representing a monumental step towards legalizing cannabis nationwide.

Before passing, a last-minute amendment slipped into the bill. As drafted, the amendment prohibits an individual charged with a cannabis-related felony from participating in the cannabis industry.

The bill is now headed to the U.S. Senate. Approval of the bill in the Senate hinges on the outcome of two Georgia Senate runoff elections in January. Democratic victors in these elections would secure Democratic control of the Senate, and likely approval of the MORE Act.

Our Cannabis Industry team continues to monitor developments in cannabis legislation and regulatory compliance.