Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts as chair of the Committee on Rules, and I collectively thank the Committee on…”

“I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts as chair of the Committee on Rules, and I collectively thank the Committee on Rules for its diligent work on the MORE Act, and that is H.R. 3884. Let me, as well, thank Jerry Nadler, chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, for his great work and, of course, two outstanding members, Barbara Lee and Earl Blumenauer, for their consistent and persistent determination. Mr. Speaker, this morning I spoke to a representative of the law enforcement community, and I indicated to him that we are about to move forward on the decriminalizing of marijuana at the Federal level, eliminating, federally, the criminalization of marijuana and cannabis. I indicated that it was not to undermine law enforcement and not to promote drug use but, in essence, to bring about justice and to provide for the right kind of roadway for what over a majority of Americans, Republicans and Democrats, want. It is an important legislative initiative. It provides a vehicle for sales tax and a vehicle that allows businesses in the marijuana business to be able to bank legally. It provides for a reinvestment program, an opportunity grant program, and, as well, an expungement program governed by Federal courts. {time} 1430 It ensures that there are no sales made to those under 21. It deals with substance abuse.…”