On Wednesday, members of the House of Representatives Oversight and Accountability Committee voted 30-14 in favor of bipartisan legislation known as the Cannabis Users’ Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act, which was introduced by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD).

The legislation would prevent prior marijuana use from becoming grounds for being found unsuitable for federal employment or failing to receive security clearance. The CURE Act will also allow someone who has previously been denied a security clearance or a federal job opportunity based on marijuana use the chance to have the denial reviewed.

“The bipartisan passage of the CURE Act through the Oversight Committee moves the federal government towards recognizing the widely established legal use of medical and recreational cannabis,” Raskin said. 

NORML Responds

"While it is disappointing that the Committee did not see fit to stop federal agencies from discriminating against those responsible adults and patients who are current consumers of cannabis," said NORML’s political director Morgan Fox, "this legislation will nonetheless open up new opportunities to millions of Americans, increase the talent pool available to federal employers, and ultimately make our country safer.”

Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer Advances Cannabis Banking Reform

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the revised marijuana banking bill and says he'll also attempt to attach legislation on cannabis expungements and gun rights for medical marijuana patients.

The cannabis banking bill now being called the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act is set for a Senate committee markup on September 27.

“For too long, the federal government has continued to punish marijuana users and business owners – even when doing so is actively harmful to our country. This ‘war on drugs’ has turned into a war on people and communities – specifically people and communities of color – and a war on business."

Schumer reiterated his advocacy for expungement. "I’ve long advocated for expungement of records for cannabis offenses, and with SAFER Banking moving through the committee in such a strong, bipartisan way, I believe now is the time to get it done."