U.S. Congress: Rep. Jennifer McClellan Becomes 57th Sponsor of Legislation to End Cannabis Prohibition, First from Virginia

McClellan’s endorsement makes her the bill’s 57th cosponsor and the first member of Congress from Virginia to officially support it. The addition underscores the growing momentum behind the measure, which has steadily gained sponsors since its introduction last month. Despite that progress, the bill still lacks any Republican backing. If enacted, the MORE Act would remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act, ending prohibition at the federal level. States would remain free to set their own marijuana policies, but the federal government would no longer classify it as a controlled substance. The bill also includes sweeping restorative justice provisions, such as expunging past federal marijuana convictions, allowing for resentencing, and creating a framework for reinvestment in communities disproportionately impacted by enforcement.

Revenue from a new federal excise tax on marijuana sales would be directed toward programs like job training, youth services, and re-entry initiatives. In addition, the bill bars marijuana convictions from being used to deny housing, loans, or other federal benefits and for the first time would allow marijuana businesses access to Small Business Administration programs.

The MORE Act has twice passed the House, but that was when Democrats controlled the chamber. A separate bill that wouldn’t go as far but would also protect state cannabis policies, the STATES 2.0 Act was also introduced this year. The proposal has less sponsors at eight, but unlike the MORE Act it has bipartisan support.