Lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives passed leglislation that would legalize marijuana nationwide, eliminating criminal penalties for anyone who manufactures, distributes or possesses the substance.

The measure passed by a 16 vote margin (220-204) — with Republicans Tom McClintock of California and Matt Gaetz and Brian Mast of Florida voted in favor of the legislation — while Democrats Chris Pappas of New Hampshire and Henry Cueller of Texas voted against it.

The legislation, dubbed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, passed in the House last year, but did not move forward in the Senate. In addition to decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level, the bill would establish procedures for expunging previous convictions from people's records and impose a tax on the sale of cannabis products.

"This landmark legislation is one of the most important criminal justice reform bills in recent history," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said in remarks on the floor.

California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Thirty-seven states and Washington, D.C. have enacted laws legalizing medical marijuana, with 18 states and D.C. legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes.

Prospects for passing such a bill in the Senate appear to be low because Democrats would need all of their members and 10 Republicans to overcome a 60-vote hurdle needed to advance to a final vote.