Thread by @natsfert

Press conference going on right now with lawmakers and advocates calling for Congress to vote on the #MOREAct - to deschedule cannabis and expunge records - this September. zoom.us/w/97028512238?…

"There's no better illustration of the nation's failed war on drugs than Baltimore," says Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby. #cannabis

There are a number of former law enforcement officers at this press conference, talking about drug enforcement and how it needs to change.

"Passing the MORE Act is necessary for dramatic police reform," says Maj. Neil Franklin from Baltimore.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) is now speaking.

Blumenauer says he put out a blueprint before the 119th Congress that committees have been following ... which I would say is half true. Some of the committees — like Judiciary, Small Biz, Approps and House Finance — have pushed through bills, but many other have not.

Oregon's @repblumenauer says the MORE Act may have a vote on the House floor next month. #cannabisnews

Hefty reminder here that even if the MORE Act passes the House, it will be DOA in the McConnell-led Senate. But passing a bill that effectively legalizes cannabis on the federal level even just in one chamber would be a pretty big deal.

.@MarilynMosbyEsq says that there is no public safety value in the prosecution of marijuana. She says it is "counterproductive."

Former Lieutenant Nick Bucci says that when legalization happens, people switch from the illicit to the legal market no matter the price. But we've seen in many states that that is absolutely not true; states where marijuana is more expensive often retain stronger illicit markets

Availability of marijuana also has a big impact; if an illicit shop or dealer is much closer, as is often true in California, shoppers won't go to the legal market.