WASHINGTON - The decriminalization of marijuana on the federal level took another step forward Friday as the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) of 2021.

The legislation would not only federally decriminalize marijuana but would also expunge prior marijuana-related convictions and arrests.

House Representatives passed the bill by a mostly partisan vote of 220-204.

217 Democrats voted to pass the bill including Congressman Tim Ryan. There were 202 votes against the legislation by Republicans including local representatives Bill Johnson, David Joyce and Mike Kelly.

Tim Ryan released the following statement on the passage of the MORE Act:

As co-chair of the House Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus, I have seen firsthand the social and economic injustices of our current marijuana policy and the irreparable harm it's doing in Ohio and throughout our nation, particularly to communities of color," said Congressman Ryan. "No person should be sentenced to a lifetime of hardship because of a marijuana arrest. It is morally wrong, economically nonsensical, and an unnecessary burden on our already strained law enforcement officials. If we are truly a nation that believes in second chances, our federal marijuana laws must change. I am proud to have voted in favor of the MORE Act."

Representative Dave Joyce defended his no vote in a Twitter thread: