MORE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Nadler
Introduced
Summary
Deschedules cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act and creates a federal tax and support system. It would set a new federal excise tax and create programs to help communities and small businesses harmed by past cannabis enforcement.
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- People and families: Individuals with past federal cannabis convictions would get district-wide reviews and orders to expunge non-violent offenses dating back to May 1, 1971. Courts must complete reviews within 1 year and provide counsel for indigent petitioners.
- Businesses and taxes: Cannabis businesses would face a federal excise tax that starts at 5% and rises to 8%. Net tax revenue would flow into a new Opportunity Trust Fund to finance community reinvestment and Small Business Administration programs.
- Federal agencies, benefits, and immigration: The Attorney General would have 180 days to begin rulemaking to remove cannabis from federal schedules, HHS/FDA would oversee product regulation and hold a public meeting within 12 months, and the bill would bar using cannabis use or past possession to deny federal benefits or immigration benefits while expanding SBA access to cannabis-related businesses.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Clear old non-violent cannabis records
If enacted, federal courts would review and expunge non-violent federal cannabis convictions and juvenile cases entered before enactment and on or after May 1, 1971. People not under a criminal justice sentence could also file to clear their records at any time, with a free lawyer if they cannot afford one. Courts would seal related records and try to notify people. After expungement, you could treat the case as if it never happened and would not have to report it. People who received a major "aggravating role" enhancement at sentencing would not be eligible.
More SBA access and fair licensing
If enacted, the SBA and its partners would be barred from denying loans or services just because a business is cannabis‑related, if it is otherwise eligible. The SBA would run a loan and technical‑help program for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people in eligible places. It would fund equitable licensing grants to States and cities that waive fees, limit denial for old cannabis convictions, curb suspicionless testing except where federal rules require it, and include a representative licensing board. The bill adds clear definitions for cannabis businesses and service providers. GAO would report yearly on who gets help.
Permits, bonds, and recordkeeping for cannabis businesses
If enacted, you would need a permit and a bond before starting as a cannabis producer or export warehouse. You would have to keep accurate inventories and records, file reports, and follow packaging and labeling rules before removal. Production would be limited to bonded premises; tax on non‑bonded production would be due immediately. Returns would be due on set periods, with semimonthly tax payments due by the 14th day after each period. Large taxpayers (owing $5,000,000+ in a year) would have to pay by electronic transfer the next year.
New cannabis excise taxes and refunds
If enacted, cannabis makers and importers would pay a federal excise tax. In years 1–2 it would be 5% of the removal price; year 3: 6%; year 4: 7%; year 5: 8%. After five years, it would switch to per‑ounce or per‑gram THC rates equal to 8% of prevailing prices, with methods published six months before each year. A $1,000 yearly occupational tax would apply per premises, due July 1 or when starting up. If you paid tax on products later withdrawn, lost, or destroyed, you could claim a refund or credit within six months, and get drawback for exports under rules.
No federal benefit denials for cannabis
If enacted, federal agencies would be barred from denying federal public benefits because of cannabis use, possession, or a cannabis conviction. This would apply to programs covered by federal public-benefit law.
Federal studies and rulemaking on cannabis
If enacted, Treasury, Justice, and the SBA would have one year to issue rules to carry out the bill. After that, public guidance would need 60 days’ notice to Congress. The GAO would study state legalization impacts within two years. BLS would publish demographic data on cannabis owners and workers. DOT would study marijuana impairment tests within one year (with $10 million authorized). Education and NIOSH would report within one year on school and workplace effects and best practices. Treasury would study industry size, taxes, and evasion within two years and then every five years.
Immigration relief for past cannabis use
If enacted, cannabis would not count as a controlled substance for immigration decisions. Immigration benefits could not be denied for possession or use that would no longer be illegal under this bill. This would apply whether the event happened before, on, or after the law’s effective date.
Opportunity Trust Fund and community grants
If enacted, an Opportunity Trust Fund would receive net cannabis tax revenue and other amounts. Each year, it would be split: 50% and 10% to Justice Department uses, 20% to an SBA restorative program, and 20% to an SBA equitable licensing grant program. A new Cannabis Justice Office would run a Community Reinvestment Grant Program for nonprofits that offer job training, reentry help, legal aid, youth programs, and health services. The Office would hire staff on a set timeline and include legal counsel.
Remove cannabis from federal drug schedule
If enacted, the Attorney General would remove marijuana and THC from the federal drug schedules within 180 days. For past and pending federal cases and juvenile cases, that change would count as effective on the date the bill is enacted.
Stronger penalties and anti-fraud tax rules
If enacted, willful failures could bring a $10,000 civil fine, and late payments a 10% penalty. Selling export‑labeled products in the U.S. could bring the greater of $10,000 or ten times the tax, plus forfeiture. Intent to defraud could bring up to a $10,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison. The tax agency could set a constructive sale price for related‑party or non‑arm’s‑length sales; the controlled‑group threshold would drop to over 50% ownership. Tax confidentiality rules would expressly cover cannabis products.
Clearances ignore cannabis, testing stays
If enacted, federal agencies would not be allowed to deny or revoke security clearances because of past or present cannabis use. At the same time, federal employee drug testing could still include marijuana. DOT- and Coast Guard-regulated workers could still face drug screening in safety‑sensitive jobs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Nadler
NY • D
Cosponsors
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Velazquez
NY • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Lieu
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Correa
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Balint
VT • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Carbajal
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Doggett
TX • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Cleaver
MO • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Wilson (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
DeGette
CO • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Huffman
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Frost
FL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Kelly (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Garcia (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Pocan
WI • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Carter (LA)
LA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Sherman
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Casar
TX • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Castor (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Raskin
MD • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Crow
CO • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Pressley
MA • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Foster
IL • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Scanlon
PA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
McCollum
MN • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Garcia (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Brown
OH • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Lee (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Leger Fernandez
NM • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Johnson (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Sykes
OH • D
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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