On December 4, 2020, the House of Representatives voted 228-164 to pass a bill, the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act, that decriminalizes cannabis at the federal level. Specifically, the bill removed cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, and would require federal cannabis convictions to be expunged. The bill is not expected to gain traction in the Republican controlled Senate, as just five Republican representatives voted in favor of the bill. Nevertheless, this vote is the most significant federal action to legalize cannabis in the country’s history.

Alex concentrates his practice on business litigation and counseling. Alex is the author of the New Jersey Cannabis Counsel blog where he tracks and analyzes developments in New Jersey’s efforts to legalize recreational cannabis and the potential impact on cannabis businesses in New Jersey. Alex is also a member of the New Jersey Cannabusiness Association.