Congressional Cannabis Caucus Explained

The Congressional Cannabis Caucus is a registered caucus in the United States Congress, formed in 2017 during the 115th session. The bipartisan caucus was founded by Republicans Dana Rohrabacher and Don Young and Democrats Earl Blumenauer and Jared Polis. The Congressional Cannabis Caucus seeks to harmonize federal laws that conflict with various state laws that permit medical and recreational cannabis.

Background

Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from California, coauthored the Rohrabacher–Farr amendment, which was passed by the 113th United States Congress in 2014. The amendment prevented the United States Department of Justice from using its funding to challenge states that have approved medical cannabis laws.^[1] Meanwhile, Earl Blumenauer, a member of House of Representatives from Oregon in the Democratic Party, supported Oregon Ballot Measure 91 in 2014, legalizing recreational cannabis in Oregon.^[2] Rohrabacher endorsed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which legalized recreational cannabis in California in 2016,^[3] and acknowledged using medical cannabis to treat his arthritis.^[4]

In 2016, Blumenauer and Rohrabacher agreed to form a congressional caucus to streamline cannabis reform legislation at the federal level, considering it a states' rights issue.^[5] In February 2017, Rohrabacher and Blumenauer launched the caucus with Jared Polis, a Democrat from Colorado, and Don Young, a Republican from Alaska.^{[6] [7] [8]} The caucus intends to increase medical research into cannabis and change regulations on banking and taxation for cannabis businesses.^[9]

In the 116th Congress, Rohrbacher and Polis left Congress and were replaced by Barbara Lee, a Democrat from California, and David Joyce, a Republican from Ohio, as co-chairs.^{[10] [11]} After Don Young died in office in 2022, he was replaced by Brian Mast of Florida.^[12]

Members

Current members:

• Earl Blumenauer
• Barbara Lee
• David Joyce
• Brian Mast

Former members:

• Jared Polis – Successfully ran for Colorado governor in 2018.
• Dana Rohrabacher – Defeated during his 2018 re-election campaign.
• Don Young – Died in office in March 2022.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Victory: Congress ends war on medical marijuana. December 12, 2014. San Francisco Chronicle. February 19, 2017.
2. Web site: Rep. Earl Blumenauer: we will end cannabis prohibition in Congress. January 28, 2016. San Francisco Chronicle. February 19, 2017.
3. Web site: Initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in California is on track. Brooke. Edwards Staggs. Orange County Register. May 27, 2016. February 19, 2017.
4. News: A GOP congressman says he used medical marijuana while in office. Washington Post. May 25, 2016. February 19, 2017.
5. Web site: Congressmen to launch Cannabis Caucus in 2017 • DecodeDC. DecodeDC. December 9, 2016. February 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170219094950/http://www.decodedc.com/congressmen-launch-cannabis-caucus-2017/. February 19, 2017. dead.
6. Web site: Alaska Rep. Young is a founding member of the U.S. House Cannabis Caucus. Alaska Dispatch News. February 16, 2017. February 18, 2017.
7. Web site: U.S. Rep. Jared Polis joins with congressional colleagues to create Cannabis Caucus – The Denver Post. The Denver Post. February 16, 2017. February 18, 2017.
8. Web site: Pro-Pot Lawmakers Have Launched a Congressional Cannabis Caucus. Fortune. February 16, 2017. February 18, 2017.
9. Web site: Pro-Pot Lawmakers to Join Forces, Launch Cannabis Caucus. Roll Call. February 16, 2017. February 19, 2017.
10. Web site: Strekal . Justin . Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Announced . January 9, 2019 . Blog.norml.org . January 9, 2019.
11. Web site: Blumenauer Announces Co-Chairs of Congressional Cannabis Caucus for 116th Congress . Blumenauer.house.gov . January 9, 2019 . November 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124142327/https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blumenauer-announces-co-chairs-congressional-cannabis-caucus-116th . dead .
12. News: Where Is Marijuana Legal? State Laws and Federal Cannabis Legislation – The Congressional Cannabis Caucus tapped Republican Rep. Brian May as its newest co-chair.. Dan Avery . April 11, 2022 . CNET News.