Landmark Marijuana br Legalization Bill Is br Approved by House Committee.br The bill legalizes br marijuana on br the federal level.br It was approved br by the House Judiciary br Committee by a br vote of 24 to 10.br In approving the bill, br Democratic lawmakers cited br racial disparities in arrests br made in connection with marijuana.br The criminalization of marijuana has been a mistake. The racial disparity in marijuana enforcement laws only compounded this mistake with serious consequences, particularly for minority communities, Rep. Ken Buck, CO, D., via CNBC.br The National Organization br for the Reform of Marijuana Laws br referred to the passage as the br “biggest marijuana news of the year.”.br The bill now moves to the br Democrat-controlled House br of Representatives, where br it is likely to be approved.