Prospects in the Senate remain in questionThe House voted 220-204 to approve the measure, which would fix the split between federal law and 19 states where recreational marijuana is legal. The House bill would remove marijuana from the controlled substances list, expunge convictions for federal marijuana crimes and add a 5% federal sales tax that would fund programs meant to improve communities harmed by marijuana prohibition. The Maryland Senate approved a legalization bill Thursday. But advocates for federal legalization say the state-by-state approach has led to myriad problems. The House defeated an amendment from Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin that would have stopped federal agencies from making marijuana use a reason for denying a security clearance.

Source: New York Times April 02, 2022 02:11 UTC