Congressional Budget Office Highlights Key Provisions in House Bill to Remove Marijuana as Barrier to Federal Employment or Security Clearances

 

A recently proposed bill to remove marijuana as a barrier to federal employment or security clearances has received attention from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), shedding light on crucial provisions within the legislation.

The bill aims to address the significant hurdles faced by individuals who have previous or current marijuana use when seeking employment within the federal government or obtaining security clearances.

This development marks another step towards marijuana reform and the recognition of changing attitudes towards the plant.

The bill, titled the "Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act," was introduced in the House of Representatives and has garnered support from a growing number of lawmakers. Its primary objective is to remove federal penalties for marijuana, effectively decriminalizing the plant at the federal level.

The CBO, an influential nonpartisan agency that provides budget and economic information to Congress, reviewed the bill and identified several provisions that were deemed "moot."

These provisions include elements related to federal revenues and direct spending, indicating that they would have minimal budgetary impact if the legislation were to pass.

One significant aspect of the MORE Act is its aim to address the employment implications associated with marijuana use.

Currently, individuals who disclose marijuana use or have positive drug tests are often disqualified from federal employment or denied security clearances.

This practice has affected countless qualified individuals, limiting their opportunities within the federal government.

The bill seeks to rectify this situation by removing marijuana as a disqualifying factor and shifting the focus towards evaluating an individual's suitability based on job-related criteria.

This change is seen as a necessary step towards fairer employment practices and acknowledging the rapidly evolving attitudes towards marijuana.

In addition to removing marijuana as a barrier to federal employment, the MORE Act also includes provisions related to criminal justice reform, reinvesting resources into communities disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition, and expunging records of individuals with prior marijuana convictions.

While the CBO's analysis determined that certain provisions in the bill have minimal budgetary impact, it is important to note that the central objective of the legislation is not solely driven by economic considerations.

Instead, it seeks to address social justice issues, reform outdated policies, and align federal regulations with the shifting landscape of marijuana laws across the country.