Representative Earl Blumenauer, who served his first term in the Oregon state legislature at the age of 23, co-sponsored the initial bill in the nation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. After nearly three decades in Congress, the Portland congressman is now gearing up for retirement, championing the cause of marijuana legalization at the federal level. He is urging fellow Democrats, including President Biden, to prioritize this issue in their political agendas.
Mr. Blumenauer, known as Congress’s leading advocate for changing marijuana policy, believes that embracing legalization is not only sound policy but also a powerful political move. He sees it as a way for President Biden to connect with younger voters who have drifted away from him. With more than 50 years of experience in this advocacy, Mr. Blumenauer insists that supporting marijuana legalization has never been a political liability.
He has been actively encouraging officials close to President Biden to make marijuana legalization a central part of the administration’s message. He argues that legalization is widely popular across the country, with a majority of Americans supporting it for medical or recreational purposes. Despite the overwhelming public support, federal law still prohibits marijuana use and places it in the same category as highly dangerous drugs like heroin and LSD.
Throughout his career, Mr. Blumenauer has been at the forefront of efforts to make marijuana more accessible. He has introduced various pieces of legislation to expunge marijuana-related crimes, expand medical research, and ensure access to medical marijuana for veterans. Additionally, he has advocated for taxing and regulating marijuana and allowing legal marijuana businesses to access financial services.
As the co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Mr. Blumenauer has received recognition for his tireless advocacy. He believes that now is the time to push for federal changes and break the existing barriers. Despite the challenges posed by Republican control of the House, he remains hopeful, pointing to President Biden’s evolving stance on marijuana as a positive sign.
President Biden has directed his administration to review the scheduling of marijuana under federal law, and there have been indications of a potential downgrade in classification. Vice President Kamala Harris has also expressed support for reevaluating marijuana’s federal status. However, Mr. Blumenauer insists that more decisive action is needed to signal a real commitment to ending the war on drugs and promoting social justice.
Despite the inertia caused by decades of prohibition policies, Mr. Blumenauer believes that bold action on marijuana legalization could have immediate and far-reaching impacts. He sees it as a way to align with the interests of young people, address racial disparities, and boost businesses in the cannabis industry.
Mr. Blumenauer contends that embracing marijuana legalization played a significant role in Democrats winning control of the Senate. He points to examples where legalization initiatives mobilized progressive voters and contributed to electoral victories. As he nears the end of his term in Congress, Mr. Blumenauer remains committed to pushing for policy changes even after leaving office.
In his view, prioritizing marijuana legalization is not only the right thing to do but also a strategic move for Democrats in an election cycle where critical issues are at stake. He believes that making this issue a priority could have a transformative impact on American politics.
