On the recordDecember 4, 2020
Finally, this is a historic moment that so many here and across the country have been working toward, to take this step to end America's destructive and costly war on drugs that has turned everyday Americans into criminals and torn families apart, ruining so many people's lives. This legislation removes cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, frees States to regulate it as they choose, and encourages research into the medicinal qualities of this plant that we all already know are changing people's lives and saving people's lives. It also applies retroactively, expunging prior convictions and records, freeing a generation of people from the shackles of this failed war on drugs. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is this vote is about freedom. It is freedom of choice for every American to make their own decisions for themselves without fear of the government coming and arresting them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. The Senate should pass it quickly so we can send it to the President for his signature.
