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Lawmakers from various states in the United States joined in the celebration of the 4/20 cannabis holiday on Saturday, April 20, 2024, adding their support to the growing movement for cannabis reform. While this day has traditionally been a time festivities within the marijuana community, it has also become a platform for politicians to advocate for further reform, reflecting the increasing bipartisan backing for the issue.
In the lead-up to 4/20, members of Congress and advocates intensified their efforts to promote reform. This included calls for full legalization and proposals to enable banks to engage with state-regulated cannabis businesses. Representative Earl Blumenauer, cochair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, expressed optimism that this year’s 4/20 could mark a turning point in marijuana policy.
Across the country, lawmakers seized the opportunity to discuss cannabis policy, highlighting the significant shift in public perception from viewing marijuana as a taboo subject to recognizing it as a normalized aspect of society.
President Joseph Biden emphasized the need to end the imprisonment of individuals for marijuana possession, acknowledging the disproportionate impact on lives, while Vice President Kamala Harris echoed this sentiment, advocating for a shift in the nation’s approach to cannabis and reforming the justice system.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of reintroducing the Marijuana Administration and Opportunity Act, aiming to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and address the harms of the drug wars. Representative Nancy Mace highlighted the widespread public backing for responsible marijuana reform and urged Congress to prioritize the preferences of their constituents. She advocated for the States Reform Act, which empowers states to lead marijuana reform efforts while safeguarding veterans and children.
Other lawmakers, including Representatives Cori Bush and Pramila Jayapal, called for the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis, emphasizing the need to redress the disproportionate impact of the war against drugs on marginalized communities.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy celebrated the second anniversary of adult-use cannabis sales in his state, highlighting the growth of dispensaries and the positive impact on the local economy.
This year’s 4/20 festivities coincide with heightened anticipation regarding potential federal marijuana reform, as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under President Biden’s directive issued in 2022, is currently reviewing marijuana rescheduling. There is speculation that the DEA may recommend moving marijuana from Schedule I to III of the CSA, a move that would not federally legalize cannabis but is nonetheless eagerly awaited by industry stakeholders, including major cannabis companies such as Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF), since that rescheduling is expected to have major ramifications for the trajectory of the industry.
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