Advocacy Groups Push for Federal Cannabis Legalization
A coalition of 41 advocacy groups convened on Capitol Hill from May 12-14 for the Cannabis Week of Unity, initiating a coordinated lobbying effort to press the U.S. Congress for comprehensive federal cannabis legalization. This mobilization brought together labor unions, veterans, civil liberties advocates, legal experts, industry executives, and individuals directly impacted by current laws. Their core demands included federally legalizing cannabis, releasing federal cannabis prisoners, and expunging records to restore civil rights.
The legislative push occurs at a critical juncture. While a majority of U.S. states have established medical or adult-use cannabis programs, and the Trump administration recently moved to reschedule state-legal medical marijuana, federal law continues to classify cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance. This creates a legal and economic paradox that advocates contend requires statutory resolution, as reported by Marijuana Moment.
Key Legislative Initiatives and Equity Concerns
Central to the coalition’s agenda is the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, introduced as HR 5068. If enacted, the MORE Act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively ending federal prohibition. Its provisions extend beyond descheduling to:
- Eliminate federal criminal penalties for marijuana activity.
- Establish pathways for expungement and resentencing.
- Create community reinvestment from federal cannabis tax revenues.
- Include equity measures to lower barriers for small, independent businesses in the legal market.
Jason Ortiz, director of strategic initiatives for the Last Prisoner Project and cofounder of the Latino Cannabis Alliance, stated that administrative actions must be supported by concrete statutory changes. He affirmed the Last Prisoner Project’s readiness to collaborate with the Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs and the Cannabis Unity Coalition to pass a full descheduling bill like the MORE Act.
The Week of Unity also highlighted the disproportionate impact of federal prohibition on minority communities. Jessica Gonzalez, an Ecuadorian immigrant, attorney, and president of the Latino Cannabis Alliance, noted that over 70 percent of individuals federally sentenced for cannabis possession are classified as Hispanic. She explained that for non-citizens, a federal conviction or disclosure of cannabis possession can trigger mandatory deportation without judicial discretion. As previously reported by Hemp Gazette, Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has also advocated for comprehensive federal cannabis reform beyond rescheduling, citing economic and social justice imperatives.
Susie Plascencia, founder of Latinas in Cannabis and a representative for the National Hispanic Cannabis Council, pointed out that while multi-state marijuana operators generate billions on public stock exchanges, independent, minority-owned startups face significant capital constraints due to federal banking restrictions. She emphasized that equity involves both repairing harm and investing in the future.
Broader Policy Reform and Congressional Engagement
Beyond the MORE Act, advocates educated lawmakers on several narrower measures designed to address immediate issues:
- STATES 2.0 Act (HR 2934): A bipartisan bill to amend federal law to respect state-legal cannabis programs, shielding state-regulated businesses from federal interference.
- PREPARE Act (HR 2935 / S 3576): Would establish a federal commission to design a comprehensive regulatory framework for a post-prohibition transition.
- Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act (HR 3082): Aims to remove barriers preventing the Office of National Drug Control Policy from conducting objective research on cannabis legalization’s societal impacts.
- Clean Slate Act: A bipartisan measure mandating automatic sealing of certain federal records for nonviolent cannabis convictions.
- Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act and Veterans Equal Access Act: Complementary bills to prevent removal of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for veterans participating in state-legal medical cannabis programs and to allow VA physicians to recommend medical cannabis.
- Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act: To protect individuals in federally assisted housing from eviction or denial of residency based on state-compliant cannabis use.
- Hemp Regulatory Clarifications: A suite of agricultural bills seeking to streamline hemp regulations.
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) indicated that the financial burden of maintaining prohibition has shifted the conversation, making fiscal conservatives more receptive to reform. She noted that advocacy for federal cannabis legalization extends beyond personal use, driven by the understanding that spending billions on incarcerating individuals for cannabis-related offenses is not sustainable.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hemp Gazette does not provide medical recommendations, diagnoses, or treatment plans. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any decisions regarding your health or any medical condition. Statements concerning the therapeutic uses of hemp, cannabis, or cannabinoid-derived products have not been evaluated by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Medicinal cannabis products in Australia are accessed via prescription pathways under TGA regulation.
