Before Biden Left Office, These Lawmakers Demanded More Cannabis Reform

A coalition of fourteen Democratic lawmakers signed a letter sent to President Biden and Vice President Harris in November 2024 urging the current leaders to expedite expanding pardons for those charged with cannabis-related offenses, as well as putting into effect updated guidelines deprioritizing federal cannabis convictions and prosecutions. 

Despite a change in administration, cannabis advocates are still working for significant reform. As such, we’ve compiled a list of the fourteen congress members acting as signatories to the recent pro-cannabis letter, summarizing their respective career efforts in support of cannabis legal reform, both nationally and within their own jurisdictions.

About The Congress Letter to President Biden on Clemency

In spite of Biden’s previous praiseworthy and revolutionary federal pardons for cannabis convicts and the president’s support in favor of rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the 1971 Controlled Substances Act (CSA), legislators were consistently working to keep Biden accountable to his pro-cannabis campaign promises. 

Shortly before his administration came to a close, a collection of congressional signatories emphasized to the president that rescheduling efforts alone are insufficient to comprehensively or effectively address the greater issues associated with the ongoing federal criminalization of cannabis classified under the legal category of “marijuana.” Nor can this federal action address the complicated and problematic disparity between federal and state cannabis laws, which would largely remain unaffected by federal rescheduling of the drug. 

The coalition of congressional lawmakers, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Barbara Lee,  called for more comprehensive reform action to address the harms of federal cannabis prohibition policies. The letter urges Biden to further expand marijuana pardons, which have already been taking place under the president’s term. The lawmakers furthermore urge Biden to deprioritize federal cannabis prosecutions. This letter expresses that such actions must take place before President Biden’s term came to an end in January 2025.

Regretfully, Biden’s term ended without much of a response to this letter. Despite granting more acts of clemency than any previous chief executive on record, his final days in office did not offer much progress for cannabis reform.

Now, with President Trump’s mixed legacy concerning cannabis and new leaders taking charge in the Drug Enforcement Agency and other relevant organizations, the future of reform is cloudy.

In light of this uncertain moment in cannabis legality, we’re keeping eyes on the US lawmakers who have historically worked to enact lasting and effective change for federal cannabis regulatory change. 

Members of Congress Who Signed the Letter

The following members of Congress signed the pro-cannabis letter. For most of these legislators, it wasn’t their first time advocating for cannabis reform.

Elizabeth Warren (D-MA):

As a leading voice in promoting cannabis reform, Warren has contributed to the creation of the 2018 Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. This bill was intended to eliminate various regulatory controls and criminal penalties under the CSA, preventing legal interference regarding a number of cannabis-related activities that comply with state or tribal laws. Namely. as long as states and tribes do not participate in cannabis-related activity that endangers human life or involves the employment of or selling of marijuana to minors, such persons acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to marijuana activities should not face criminal penalties.

Barbara Lee (D-CA):

Barbara Lee has been a long-time supporter of cannabis legalization efforts and equity in the cannabis industry and legal regulatory system. Lee has also served as Co-chair of the historical Congressional Cannabis Caucus, a forum for elected officials to collaborate on how to address our outdated federal marijuana criminal laws. In addition, Rep. Lee was responsible for introducing the Marijuana Justice Act, which received the highest number of congressional co-sponsorships of any legislation intended to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act in history.

Bernie Sanders (I-VT):

Sanders has been a consistent supporter for full federal legalization of marijuana, having advocated for de-scheduling cannabis and ending the drug’s prohibition entirely. In his presidential campaigns, Sanders made cannabis reform a pivotal issue and significantly raised national awareness about the problems generated and perpetuated  by national cannabis prohibition. His 2019 campaign was revolutionary in promoting a promise to legalize the drug in all 50 states within 100 days of his term. 

Cory Booker (D-NJ):

The New Jersey congressman has been a strong proponent of social equity in cannabis reform, recognizing the impact of prohibition on various disadvantaged communities. Booker even introduced the 2022 Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, intended to federally decriminalize and de-schedule cannabis from the CSA and support expungement programs for individuals subject to cannabis convictions.

Ron Wyden (D-OR):

Another congressional co-sponsor of the STATES Act, Sen. Wyden also sponsored the Marijuana Revenue and Regulation Act, which was aimed at removing cannabis from the list of scheduled substances under the CSA, as well as establish federal taxation programs and regulation of cannabis.

John Hickenlooper (D-CO):

The former governor of Colorado has played a pivotal role in implementing revolutionary recreational cannabis legalization in the state. The senator has also taken part in advocacy for performing further research into the societal impacts of legalization. In addition, Sen. Hickenlooper has been an advocate for federal reforms to take place based on Colorado’s successful legalization efforts.

Earl Blumenauer (D-OR):

Along with Sen. Lee, former US Representative Blumenauer has acted as a co-founder of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and as a primary sponsor of numerous cannabis reform bills. One of these bills was the 2022 Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which sought to remove cannabis from the list of scheduled substances under the CSA and eliminates criminal penalties for individuals involved in activity associated with the manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana.

Ilhan Omar (D-MN):

Another advocate for the MORE Act, Omar has additionally supported efforts to grant clemency for non-violent drug offenders. Rep. Omar has been a supporter of various decriminalization and clemency efforts, with a particular emphasis on the importance of racial equity and restorative justice in pursuing national cannabis reform.

Among these prolific senators and representatives are other major figures in US congress who have advocated for, supported, and made impacts for cannabis legalization in the United States and in their specific regions including: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). 

Concluding Reflections:

The letter sent to President Biden and Vice President Harris represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to advocate for and reform federal cannabis law and policy in the United States. Whether or not the actions taken by these congress members were successful at this point, the collective efforts of these fourteen congressional lawmakers highlight the urgent need to address the lingering consequences of prohibition, particularly the medical, racial, and social inequities that persist in accordance with current cannabis prohibition legislation.

Many of these lawmakers have been instrumental, both nationally and locally, in advancing federal and state-level cannabis legislation and their achievements — which range from innovating new state legalization frameworks and taxation regulations, to championing federal de-scheduling efforts and equity initiatives—represent intense commitment to the future transformation of marijuana law and cannabis policy into a new era. 

 By drafting and signing this critical document, congress has underscored unprecedented support for meaningful reform to cannabis legal policy in the US, where the federal government has been unwaveringly austere for decades, and the efforts of these members of congress sets the a new precedent for future progress. It is hopeful that such measures can fortify future momentum toward more equitable and appropriate responses and policies in US policy for cannabis laws in the United States for the coming generations.