Representative Earl Blumenauer, who served his first term in the Oregon state legislature at 23 years old, co-sponsored the first bill in the country to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. Nearly three decades later, as he prepares to retire from Capitol Hill, he is advocating for the legalization of marijuana at the federal level, urging his fellow Democrats, including President Biden, to make it a central part of their political platforms.
Mr. Blumenauer, known as Congress’s top advocate for changing marijuana policy, believes that embracing legalization is not only good policy but also a potentially impactful political issue that could help President Biden appeal to young voters who may have drifted away from him.
With over 50 years of involvement in cannabis policy initiatives, Mr. Blumenauer has been a key figure in pushing for changes at both the state and federal levels. He founded and co-chairs the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and has led efforts to expunge federal marijuana crimes, expand medical research, and more.
While federal law still prohibits marijuana use and possession, public opinion overwhelmingly supports some form of legalization. Mr. Blumenauer believes that this is the year to break the logjam and push for federal changes, citing successful state ballot initiatives, bipartisan support in the House, and backing from key Democrats like Senators Chuck Schumer and Ron Wyden.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Blumenauer sees President Biden’s evolving stance on marijuana as a hopeful sign. The administration is reviewing the scheduling of marijuana under federal law, and health officials have recommended downgrading its classification to a lower risk category.
Mr. Blumenauer emphasizes the need for decisive action to prioritize changes in the law, including removing cannabis from the controlled substances list. He believes that such a move would send a strong message to voters and demonstrate a commitment to ending the war on drugs, promoting social justice, and supporting businesses.
As Mr. Blumenauer continues to advocate for policy changes, even after leaving office, he sees the potential impact of legalization in mobilizing the pro-cannabis electorate and shaping the political landscape. He believes that unlocking the full power of legalization is essential for democracy and urges Democrats to prioritize this issue in the upcoming election.
With about seven months left in Congress, Mr. Blumenauer remains committed to pushing for more significant progress on marijuana legalization. He views breaking the logjam on this issue as crucial and believes that it should not be controversial to move forward with changes at a faster pace.
