TO BE OR NOT TO BE AT A FEDERAL LEVEL!

Up until... Well 2010, marijuana have been seen in a negative light as a "Gateway Drug." To some today, still agree with it. In recent American his-story, in 1996, California was the first state to be legalized for the use of marijuana. Now from 1996-2008, only 13 states seen the full benefit of recreational use of marijuana. Since 2010, 31 states have decided to get on board the Marijuana train as they seen be a benefit to their state economy arise and a decrease in crime rate. However, of the 44 states that are have chosen to add it in its laws for medical use, 15 states are for recreational and have set forth its laws to Decriminalize Marijuana (DM). What is DM? Decriminalization means that a state repealed or amended its laws to make certain acts criminal, but no longer subject to prosecution. Which in terms means that if your state has decriminalized or is decriminalizing marijuana, you are permitted to carry up to a certain amount of weed without being punished for if stopped and searched by cops. For so long, many have individuals of this land have been prosecutes in some way due to marijuana. 2012-2104 both Colorado and Washington D.C. have seemed to have the most effect on this topic. There are people's lives who have been affected by the criminalization of marijuana. Homes have been broken up, many which of color, for what price? Because integrity is not the answer. To agree or disagree on this topic, but many who choose marijuana for personal use have every reason to do so. Some may overuse but to completely look down and not for each state to have not agree to recreational and decriminalize makes me think that there is some Politicians who do not have the American people best interest at hand. 21 and older, can drink in the comfort of their home or even if out and about, can have 1 alcoholic beverage an hour and still be considered allowed to drive furthermore proves my point that there is a conspiracy going on. Liquor is at every store that is licensed to sell, which is every gas station. According to NACS there are around 126,000 gas stations in the US. But if you count the number of convenience stores (without fuel), the total number stores will rise to little over 150,000 just in the US. To legally say rather I can or cannot smoke marijuana should not be at the price of fine, jail, or employment. "It's not what you do, it's how you do it" should always come at the responsibility of the user. So, with 5 republicans to yes and 6 democrats no, the votes at the senate as they bring it the floor of the senate.

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019 or the MORE Act of 2019 This bill decriminalizes marijuana. Specifically, it removes marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminates criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana. Imagine in the communities of color, not being hackled for marijuana. I mean in Orlando, FL, when stopped by OPD, willingly they will tell you what they are looking for. Rather you have prior convictions or not. "We're looking for big drugs and a lot of drugs." As one officers stated one traffic routine stop. The only reason I can think of why a traffic stop would, turn into a raid, is an agenda. Not only will it be a little more comfortable riding in predominantly black areas, but the real change will eliminate criminal penalties for an individual who manufactures, distributes, or possesses marijuana. Reviewing the bill, I have learned that it also makes other changes, including the following,

1. Replaces statutory references to marijuana and marihuana with cannabis.

2. Requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to regularly publish demographic data on cannabis business owners and employees.

3. Establishes a trust fund to support various programs and services for individuals and businesses in communities impacted by the war on drugs.

4. Imposes a 5% tax on cannabis products and requires revenues to be deposited into the trust fund.

5. Makes Small Business Administration loans and services available to entities that are cannabis-related legitimate businesses or service providers.

6. Prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to a person on the basis of certain cannabis-related conduct or convictions.

7. Prohibits the denial of benefits and protections under immigration laws on the basis of a cannabis-related event.

8. Establishes a process to expunge convictions and conduct sentencing review hearings related to federal cannabis offenses. (sourced by 116th congress)

Now I may not know everything this bill speaks but I see some surprisingly good things. Points 3,4, and 8 all stands out me. We all know the war on drugs started after the CIA dropped narcotics in rural black areas causing a real depression. This act by the CIA was very damaging and generations were destroyed. So, I am happy to see some in the house wants to see a growth in the areas that were deeply disturbed. Point 8 talks the expunging of the records for non-violent offenses. To get that off someone's background is the biggest take away I got from this bill. Writing this article really helped me grasped an idea that America knows the wrong it has done and here to stand for something different. I hope this research have really help many understand the undergoing processing this county is taking in the directions of its citizens. Thank you.