H.R. 3617 · 117th Congress

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act

Introduced on May 28, 2021 by Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10). 114 cosponsors, 1 of them from another party. Latest action (Apr 4, 2022): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Stage
Passed one chamber
Introduced
May 28, 2021
Cosponsors
114
1 from the other party
Policy area
Crime and Law Enforcement
Open in the Congress explorerCongress.govAlert me

Progress

The furthest stage the measure reached. Simple and concurrent resolutions do not go to the President.

  1. Introduced
  2. Reported by committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. 4Passed both chambers
  5. 5Sent to the President
  6. 6Became law

Official title

To decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes.

Subjects

  • Business records
  • Census and government statistics
  • Child health
  • Congressional oversight
  • Criminal procedure and sentencing
  • Department of Justice
  • Drug trafficking and controlled substances
  • Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
  • Educational facilities and institutions
  • Elementary and secondary education
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Government information and archives
  • Government lending and loan guarantees
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Government trust funds
  • Health programs administration and funding
  • Immigration status and procedures
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Poverty and welfare assistance
  • Roads and highways
  • Sales and excise taxes
  • School administration
  • Small business
  • State and local government operations
  • Transportation safety and security
  • Worker safety and health

Summary

By the Congressional Research Service (Passed House, Apr 1, 2022). Public domain.

Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act or the MORE Act

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.

The bill also makes other changes, including the following:

  • replaces statutory references to marijuana and marihuana with cannabis,
  • requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics to regularly publish demographic data on cannabis business owners and employees,
  • establishes a trust fund to support various programs and services for individuals and businesses in communities impacted by the war on drugs,
  • imposes an excise tax on cannabis products produced in or imported into the United States and an occupational tax on cannabis production facilities and export warehouses,
  • makes Small Business Administration loans and services available to entities that are cannabis-related legitimate businesses or service providers,
  • prohibits the denial of federal public benefits to a person on the basis of certain cannabis-related conduct or convictions,
  • prohibits the denial of benefits and protections under immigration laws on the basis of a cannabis-related event (e.g., conduct or a conviction),
  • establishes a process to expunge convictions and conduct sentencing review hearings related to federal cannabis offenses,
  • directs the Government Accountability Office to study the societal impact of state legalization of recreational cannabis,
  • directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study methods for determining whether a driver is impaired by marijuana,
  • directs the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to study the impact of state legalization of recreational cannabis on the workplace, and
  • directs the Department of Education to study the impact of state legalization of recreational cannabis on schools and school-aged children.

Sponsor and cosponsors

Cosponsors by party as of the day they signed on. Original cosponsors signed on the day of introduction.

Jerrold NadlerD-NY-10Sponsor

Democrats · 113

Republicans · 1

Roll calls

Recorded votes on the measure. Most measures move by voice vote or unanimous consent, which record no individual positions.

  1. On Agreeing to the Amendment
    Apr 1, 2022· House· Amendments· Agreed to 243–172
  2. On Agreeing to the Amendment
    Apr 1, 2022· House· Amendments· Agreed to 234–189
  3. On Agreeing to the Amendment
    Apr 1, 2022· House· Amendments· Failed 209–214
  4. On Motion to Recommit
    Apr 1, 2022· House· Procedural· Failed 202–220
  5. On Passage
    Apr 1, 2022· House· Passage· Passed 220–204

History

Every action as published, oldest first. Roll calls link to how each member voted.

  1. May 28, 2021Introduced in House
  2. May 28, 2021Introduced in House
  3. May 28, 2021Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E592)
  4. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  5. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  6. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  7. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  8. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  9. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  10. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  11. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  12. May 28, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Small Business, Natural Resources, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  13. May 31, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  14. Jun 1, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
  15. Jun 1, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
  16. Jun 1, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
  17. Jul 5, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
  18. Jul 7, 2021 · HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
  19. Sep 30, 2021 · HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  20. Sep 30, 2021 · HouseOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 15.
  21. Mar 24, 2022Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-276, Part I.
  22. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseReported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 117-276, Part I.
  23. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
  24. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
  25. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Agriculture discharged.
  26. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Agriculture discharged.
  27. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
  28. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Education and Labor discharged.
  29. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
  30. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Ways and Means discharged.
  31. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Small Business discharged.
  32. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Small Business discharged.
  33. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Natural Resources discharged.
  34. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Natural Resources discharged.
  35. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
  36. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Oversight and Reform discharged.
  37. Mar 24, 2022Committee on Transportation discharged.
  38. Mar 24, 2022 · HouseCommittee on Transportation discharged.
  39. Mar 24, 2022 · HousePlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 203.
  40. Mar 31, 2022 · HouseRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1017 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3617 and H.R. 6833. The resolutions provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 3617, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 6833, under a closed rule. The rule provides that House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021, is amended by striking April 1, 2022 each place it appears and inserting April 29, 2022.
  41. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1017. (consideration: CR H4078-4110, H4110-4111; text: CR S4078-4087)
  42. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseRule provides for consideration of H.R. 3617 and H.R. 6833. The resolutions provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 3617, under a structured rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 6833, under a closed rule. The rule provides that House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021, is amended by striking April 1, 2022 each place it appears and inserting April 29, 2022.
  43. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3617.
  44. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1017, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gottheimer amendment No. 1.
  45. Apr 1, 2022 · HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gottheimer amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bentz demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  46. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1017, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lamb amendment No. 2.
  47. Apr 1, 2022 · HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lamb amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bentz demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  48. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1017, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Raskin amendment No. 3.
  49. Apr 1, 2022 · HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Raskin amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bentz demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  50. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseUNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to amendments, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed. (consideration: CR H4111-4112)
  51. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  52. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseMr. Latta moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H4112-4116)
  53. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseThe previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  54. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseOn motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 202 - 220 (Roll no. 106).House · Roll call 106
  55. Apr 1, 2022Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 204 (Roll no. 107).House · Roll call 107
  56. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 204 (Roll no. 107).House · Roll call 107
  57. Apr 1, 2022 · HouseMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  58. Apr 4, 2022 · SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Committees

Committees and subcommittees the measure was referred to.

Agencies in its committees' jurisdiction

Analisa's mapping of committee jurisdiction to federal agencies; the bill may touch others, or none of these.

Who lobbied on it

Organizations whose lobbying reports (LD-2) name this measure. Spending is what they reported for those quarters on all issues, not on this measure alone.

  1. National Cannabis Roundtable2 reports
    $40K reported (all issues)

Reports filed in 2023.

Sources and method

Every figure on this page traces to these records.

  • Bill status: bills and resolutions, sponsors, actions, subjects and CRS summaries (U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo), from Congress.gov (Library of Congress))GovInfo Bill Status bulk data (Congress.gov; summaries by the Congressional Research Service) · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Members of Congress, their terms, committees and identifiers (The @unitedstates project (from the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress, the House and the Senate))unitedstates/congress-legislators: legislators, committees and current committee membership · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication)
  • House roll-call votes (Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, roll-call vote records · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Senate roll-call votes and DW-NOMINATE scores (Voteview (UCLA Department of Political Science))Lewis, Jeffrey B., Keith Poole, Howard Rosenthal, Adam Boche, Aaron Rudkin, and Luke Sonnet (2026). Voteview: Congressional Roll-Call Votes Database. https://voteview.com/ · data current to Oct 3, 2026 · loaded Oct 3, 2026 · license: Free to use with the required citation
  • Lobbying disclosures (LD-1 registrations, LD-2 quarterly reports, LD-203 contribution reports) (Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives)Clerk of the House, Lobbying Disclosure Act filings (organizations only; lobbyists' names are not loaded) · data current to Oct 5, 2026 · loaded Oct 5, 2026 · license: Public domain (U.S. Government work, 17 U.S.C. § 105)
  • Positions are shown only where a roll call recorded them; voice votes and unanimous consent record none.
  • Money and votes are shown side by side; neither explains the other.