111th Congress
1st Session

H.R.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Spencer Marley

A BILL

To remove the psychoactive drug Cannabis from its status as a Schedule I controlled substance under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the POLS 3323 Congressional Simulation Assembled, that this Act may be cited as the “Marijuana Rescheduling Act”.

Sec. 1. Findings

Congress makes the following findings:
(1)That the drug Marijuana does not harm its users to the same extent that currently existing legal recreational drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, do.
(2)That marijuana use is widespread amongst the American people, despite widespread, federally funded programs aimed at curbing it.
(3)That law enforcement aimed at ceasing the production, distribution, and use of marijuana has become a massive drain of federal funds and taxpayer money, but has not seen any real success.
(4)That the current marijuana laws have caused the imprisonment of millions of American citizens who would otherwise have no inclination to break the law.
(5)That marijuana does not meet the requirements for being classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.
i. The drug does not have a high potential for abuse. As shown by its virtually nonexistent physiological withdrawal symptoms.
ii. The drug does have accepted medical use in the United States. It is indicated as treatment for arthritis, asthma, depression, glaucoma, and neurogenic pain, among other conditions in the state of California.
iii. The drug can be safely used under medical supervision.

Sec. 2. Marijuana Rescheduling

(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, cannabis and its derivatives shall be removed from their status as Schedule I controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
(2)All American citizens who are currently, or were formerly incarcerated for a marijuana-related offense, notwithstanding any other offense, shall be unconditionally pardoned.
(3)The sale of marijuana to the public shall be taxed at a rate of 2.5 cents of every dollar earned from the sale of marijuana.
(4)Revenue from taxing the sale of marijuana to the public shall be appropriated to fund substance abuse rehabilitation programs.
(5)The authority to enforce the rescheduling and taxing of marijuana sales shall be delegated to the states.