Politicians Tout Marijuana Policy Progress On 4/20 Amid Heightened Expectations About Federal Reform

Public officials across the U.S. are adding their voices to the chorus of marijuana reform supporters celebrating the cannabis holiday 4/20 on Saturday. That includes members of Congress, state legislators and even the president and vice president.

As mainstream brands and advocacy groups promote various campaigns that seek to leverage the popularity of the expanding reform movement, elected officials are touting their work to advance legalization and other policy changes around cannabis.

Saturday might be a time of celebration within the cannabis community, but politicians have increasingly used it as a platform to advocate for more reform as the issue gains more bipartisan support.

Officials at various levels of government are again playing into the culture and using 4/20 to talk about marijuana policy—underscoring how the legalization movement has helped shift cannabis from a controversial taboo to an accepted societal norm.

This year’s holiday also comes amid heightened expectations about federal marijuana reform, as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) works to complete a review into cannabis scheduling under President Joe Biden’s 2022 directive.

DEA is considered a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which wouldn’t federally legalize marijuana, but industry stakeholders are eagerly anticipating the potential incremental reform nonetheless.

Advocates and congressional lawmakers have amplified their push for reform in the days leading up to 4/20, with calls to advance comprehensive legalization, as well as modest proposals to free up banks to work with state-legal marijuana businesses, for example.

For what it’s worth, Congressional Cannabis Caucus founding co-chair Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) predicts that this Saturday will be the “last 4/20 celebration that cannabis will be on Schedule I.”

Here’s what politicians are saying on 4/20 this year:

Members of Congress and national politicians

Sending people to prison just for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit.

It’s time that we right these wrongs. pic.twitter.com/0avI1FmWf9

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 20, 2024

Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.

We must continue to change our nation’s approach to marijuana while reforming the justice system so it finally lives up to its name. pic.twitter.com/AJFmexf8a3

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 20, 2024

Happy 420 pic.twitter.com/v5QDGa1s21

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) April 20, 2024

Legalizing marijuana won’t just get people out of jail and back to work — it can actually help solve America’s drug addiction problem.#Happy420#rfkjr#KennedyShanahan2024pic.twitter.com/JJfondiNEB

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) April 20, 2024

I was so proud to meet with the Marijuana Justice Coalition as we work to reintroduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act in the Senate!

We will not stop working together to end the federal prohibition on cannabis and reverse the harms of the War on Drugs. pic.twitter.com/2pQI0iJcVt

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2024

The failed War on Drugs continues to be a war on people. We need to pass comprehensive cannabis reform that includes restorative justice.

— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) April 20, 2024

Happy 4/20.

We need to legalize marijuana at the federal level.

— Sherrod Brown (@SherrodBrown) April 20, 2024

It’s not justice to lock up kids caught with an ounce of pot, while hedge fund managers make millions off of the legal sale of marijuana. It’s time for the federal government to legalize cannabis and tackle the legacy of unjust marijuana policy.

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 20, 2024

Happy 4/20! Colorado made history and lit up the legal cannabis industry. We set the gold standard, and proved it could be done safely.    I have high hopes for federal legalization, and we won’t stop working until we get there.

— Senator John Hickenlooper (@SenatorHick) April 20, 2024

This 4/20, I’m celebrating the demise of Minnesota Republicans’ shell party, Legal Marijuana Now.

Thanks for nothing — and shoutout to the @MinnesotaDFL for legalization and expungement!

— Tina Smith (@TinaSmithMN) April 20, 2024

Currently, small cannabis biz's are forced to operate w/cash only, making them a serious public safety risk. We need to pass banking reforms like the #SAFEbankingAct, which has passed the House w/bipartisan support multiple times, to help legal cannabis biz's by getting them… pic.twitter.com/26XvZct7q8

— U.S. House Committee on Financial Services (@FSCDems) April 20, 2024

The best way to celebrate 4/20?

Legalizing #cannabis, expunging the records of those imprisoned for using or possessing marijuana, & investing in communities ravaged by the War on Drugs. pic.twitter.com/uz23cNugbP

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) April 21, 2024

4/20 is a great day to remember @DEAHQ is FINALLY reviewing softening federal #marijuana regs—but not without years of work from yours truly!#Cannabis shouldn't be Schedule 1. More like Schedule 420. I've worked for years to #LegalizeIt federally & won't stop until it's done. pic.twitter.com/TuDiMXW2nV

— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 20, 2024

I'm one of the top advocates for #marijuana legalization in Congress. But on #420day let's remember: as some profit from legalization, thousands of Black men, women & families in my district still suffer from the failed "war on drugs". Legalization should come with justice.

— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) April 20, 2024

It's no secret that public support for responsible cannabis reform has reached an all-time high. If members of Congress relied on their constituents rather than their personal opinion, they'd see the war over a plant isn't what people want. #StatesReformAct #420 pic.twitter.com/wtDR4rKEko

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) April 20, 2024

As a reminder: Our bill, the States Reform Act, a common-sense initiative puts states in the driver's seat when it comes to cannabis reform, it protects our kids and military veterans. It now sits in a drawer somewhere in the Capitol. #420https://t.co/zd7ym1eFdspic.twitter.com/hbok53Gxji

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) April 20, 2024

Cannabis justice is racial justice, economic justice, & restorative justice – and the time to act is NOW.

On this 4/20, we need to legalize marijuana, expunge records, & end the War on Drugs that has ravaged Black & brown communities. pic.twitter.com/e2sUCAKERe

— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) April 20, 2024

When it comes to cannabis justice and the War on Drugs, clemency must be part of the solution.@POTUS must use his clemency authority to end mass incarceration and set our communities on a pathway to healing. pic.twitter.com/mH9FPvLViu

— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) April 20, 2024

This #420day, remember, 🍃No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. 🍃The cannabis industry is good for our economy & should be equitable

I’m working to bring opportunities to the cannabis industry while helping those harmed by marijuana criminalization…

— Congressman Troy A. Carter (@RepTroyCarter) April 20, 2024

Happy 4/20 to all who celebrate. Today would be a great day for the Biden administration to fully deschedule & legalize marijuana, expunge records, and repair the harms of the failed war on drugs.

— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) April 20, 2024

Happy 4/20! 🌿 Today would be a great day to legalize marijuana, expunge all criminal records for marijuana offenses, & end the racist War on Drugs.

— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) April 20, 2024

Good morning! Today would be a GREAT day to decriminalize and legalize marijuana and invest in the communities of color that have been disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) April 20, 2024

Legalize cannabis nationwide and expunge records for cannabis-related offenses.

Let’s get it done.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 20, 2024

It’s high time we legalize cannabis in the United States.

— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) April 20, 2024

Let’s be blunt: Sen. Romney’s letter questioning the rescheduling of marijuana doesn’t have a nugget of merit.

It hinges on an outdated court case and its logic implies Tylenol should be regulated under Schedule I.

It’s time for the DEA to deschedule marijuana.

— Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (@RepKamlagerDove) April 20, 2024

It's 4/20, and we are fighting back against the failed war on drugs. pic.twitter.com/B234x6krYF

— Val Hoyle (@RepValHoyle) April 20, 2024

State and local elected officials and political parties

New York is building the nation's most equitable cannabis industry — one that empowers veterans, women, Black & Brown New Yorkers, & those hurt by the war on drugs.   If you’re choosing to celebrate today, visit one of New York's 100+ legal dispensaries: https://t.co/nLcImliKampic.twitter.com/rZ9aFfbJTn

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 20, 2024

Rest assured on this 4/20, amidst recent federal seizures of cannabis from licensed distributors in New Mexico, that my administration is working on a strategy to protect New Mexico’s thriving cannabis industry.#cannabis#economyhttps://t.co/Im9HwCNJLy

— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) April 20, 2024

To be blunt: we’re proud to have sparked a new industry when we legalized adult-use cannabis.

— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) April 20, 2024

Happy canni-versary, New Jersey!

Tomorrow marks two years since the start of adult-use marijuana sales in New Jersey. Over the past year, we have proudly grown from just over 30 dispensaries to 130 dispensaries statewide. pic.twitter.com/9ernW5RfgU

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 20, 2024

Happy 420, @SenWarrenLimmer. No one rolls like you do. pic.twitter.com/9dJEje08Vl

— Minnesota DFL Party (@MinnesotaDFL) April 20, 2024

Time to end cannabis prohibition! Free the 🌱. Happy 4/20 https://t.co/ymiCstsfyO

— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) April 20, 2024

Happy 420 day to all those who are celebrating! pic.twitter.com/wTHFOFF1MC

— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) April 20, 2024

International politicians

Heute wünsche ich vor allem viel Freude beim Feiern des ersten legalen #420day! Ab morgen geht der Einsatz weiter für eine rasche Anpassung des THC-Grenzwertes für den Straßenverkehr und die Abgabe von #Cannabis in lizenzierten Fachgeschäften. pic.twitter.com/JUZJaUV10R

— Kirsten Kappert-Gonther (@KirstenKappert) April 20, 2024

Happy 4/20. Das ist der Anfang vom Ende der Stigmatisierung. #CanG

— Carmen Wegge (@CarmenWegge) April 19, 2024

Ahead Of 4/20 White House Says Biden Has Been ‘Very Clear’ In Supporting Marijuana Decriminalization, But Admin Is Awaiting DOJ Rescheduling Action

Senators Celebrate Bipartisan Marijuana Banking Bill Reintroduction

Senators are urging action on a marijuana banking bill that was reintroduced last week, taking to Twitter to call for bipartisan work to enact the reform this session.

The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act was filed with much fanfare, earning the early applause of top legislators like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). In the days since its introduction, more than a dozen senators have cheered the bill’s introduction with tweets.

While bipartisan lawmakers have filed a series of modest cannabis measures in recent weeks, advocates and industry stakeholders are especially focused on SAFE, which has been revised in several ways that equity activists say they’re encouraged by but hope to build upon as the legislation advances.

Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT)—along with Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)—are sponsoring the legislation.

The expectation is that it will first go to the Senate Banking Committee as a standalone proposal before potentially moving to the floor. But the chairman of that panel, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), recently said that the process has been delayed because of his concerns with banking sector representatives allegedly trying to use the bill to undermine broader regulations.

In any case, lawmakers across the aisle have expressed excitement about the prospects of finally enacting the legislation, which has cleared the House several times in recent sessions only to stall in the Senate.

Here’s what congressional lawmakers are saying about the SAFE Banking Act: 

The SAFE Banking Act re-introduced this week would ensure cannabis businesses in states with legal cannabis have equal access critical banking infrastructure.

And I’m making it a top priority to ensure it contains social equity provisions to undo harm caused by the War on Drugs.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 27, 2023

I introduced the SAFE Banking Act to help make sure all legal cannabis businesses have access to the financial services they need to help keep their employees and their communities safe. We need to finally pass it in 2023, and we have a path to do it. https://t.co/Aa2iqJz5Y2

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 26, 2023

This will be a historic moment: the largest-ever cannabis reform package with bipartisan support. We have momentum on our side—we can get this done. https://t.co/Ie0wGy541x

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 26, 2023

When cannabis businesses are forced to operate on an all-cash basis, it stifles potential and makes them a target for crime.

Getting the SAFE Banking Act across the finish line will give cannabis businesses access to critical banking services to keep their communities safe.

— Senator John Hickenlooper (@SenatorHick) April 27, 2023

That’s right! Legally-operating cannabis businesses shouldn’t be forced to run on an all-cash basis.

They deserve access to critical banking services without fear of retribution by federal regulators – and that’s what we’re fighting for. pic.twitter.com/DAN3eHhfNI

— Senator John Hickenlooper (@SenatorHick) May 1, 2023

Legally operating cannabis businesses deserve full access to @SBAgov resources.

It's time to pass the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act to protect NV jobs, support small cannabis businesses, and increase public safety.https://t.co/Pe75I9qmWi

— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) April 29, 2023

In Nevada, legal cannabis businesses create jobs and boost our economy – they deserve access to basic banking services.

I'm supporting the bipartisan #SAFEBankingAct to give these businesses access to the financial services needed to keep employees and communities safe.

— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) April 27, 2023

Cannabis businesses are essential to Colorado's economy, but they're currently denied access to basic banking systems.

The #SAFEBankingAct makes it easier for legal cannabis businesses to access the same financial services the same way other businesses can.

— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) April 30, 2023

Legal cannabis businesses shouldn’t be forced to operate in cash—it opens them up to robbery and money laundering.

I co-sponsored the #SAFEBankingAct to make sure these businesses can access the financial services they need to keep their employees and communities safe.

— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) April 29, 2023

Nevadans have chosen to legalize cannabis in our state – it's time for the federal government to allow these legal businesses to access the banking system so we can improve consumer safety and help our state's economy continue to grow. pic.twitter.com/LEYho2jaso

— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) April 29, 2023

I'm proud to support bipartisan legislation like the #SAFEBankingAct. The SAFE Act is crucial legislation that allows legal cannabis businesses to access financial services. It's absurd for the federal government to continue to interfere with state marijuana laws and well past… https://t.co/2HbVidjZNF

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 28, 2023

In Massachusetts and across the country legal cannabis businesses are denied access to basic banking services. It’s unacceptable. We must pass the SAFE Banking Act to increase public safety and give these businesses access to the financial services they need.

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) April 27, 2023

The #SAFEBanking Act is just common sense: law-abiding cannabis shops shouldn't live in fear of being robbed because the law requires them to only take cash.

Our legislation will finally fix that and help keep these shops and their employees safe.

— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) April 28, 2023

Legal cannabis shops should be treated like every other business.

Forcing them to operate in the shadows is impractical, dangerous, and not to mention – a huge pain for consumers.   The #SAFEBankingAct would fix that. pic.twitter.com/kaOI1Vvc5j

— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) April 27, 2023

I proudly cosponsored the #SAFEBanking Act to prioritize public safety, reduce cash transactions, and provide cannabis businesses access to financial services and insurance.

This is a crucial step in our long-sought fight for sensible cannabis reform.https://t.co/hbUnIAgBg3

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) April 28, 2023

A legitimate, legal marijuana business shouldn’t be forced to run entirely on cash.

I’m co-sponsoring the #SAFEBankingAct this year so these businesses have access to the banking services they need.

— Senator Peter Welch (@PeterWelch) April 28, 2023

Passing the bill this year will likely be more complicated under a divided Congress, with Republicans in control of the House. But advocates are confident that they’ve built a solid coalition of supporters that bodes well for its advancement.

Last Congress, there was some pushback against the standalone proposal, with equity advocates voicing concern that its passage would primarily benefit large marijuana corporations, while potentially undercutting efforts to enact comprehensive legalization that addresses the harm of the war on drugs.

But there seems to be agreement around a new strategy that lawmakers have described: get a clean SAFE Banking Act through committee and onto the floor where they could attach justice-focused amendments and create a “SAFE Plus” package.

The standalone does contain some changes from the last version that advocates have applauded, including protections for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) that make commercial loans to minority-owned businesses.

Another addition to the bill that wasn’t in prior versions provides marijuana industry workers access to federally backed mortgage loans.

Further, the bill’s data collection and reporting requirements have been revised in a way that advocates say will provide more robust information about barriers to financial services and marijuana industry participation by minorities, women, veterans and small businesses.

—Marijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,000 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.—

Schumer has reiterated his commitment to advancing the marijuana banking legislation with criminal justice provisions included, calling the broader effort to repair the harms of the drug war a “moral responsibility” for Congress.

But a vote in the Senate last week has raised questions about whether any modest cannabis reform is achievable under the current congressional makeup. Senate Republicans blocked a procedural motion to advance a bipartisan bill to simply require studies into the medical potential of cannabis for military veterans with chronic pain and PTSD.

Last month, Schumer said that he was “disappointed” that the so-called SAFE Plus package of marijuana banking and expungements legislation he worked on last year didn’t advance, saying “we came close,” but “we ran into opposition in the last minute.” He said lawmakers will continue to “work in a bipartisan way” to get the job done.

The majority leader has been holding meetings with Democraticand Republican members in the early months of the new Congress to discuss cannabis reform proposals that might have bipartisan buy-in this year.

For his part, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said recently that lawmakers are working to “resurrect” the cannabis reform package, acknowledging that failure to advance a banking fix for the industry “literally means that hundreds of businesses go out of business.

Blumenauer, who filed a bill to allow marijuana businesses to take federal tax deductions last month, said at a recent press briefing that thinks it’s important that advocates and lawmakers align on any incremental proposals to end the drug war, warning against an “all-or-nothing” mentality.

There have been a number of cannabis reform proposals filed in recent weeks, particularly in the lead-up to the 4/20 holiday last month.

For example, bipartisan lawmakers in both chambers reintroduced legislation last week to provide a safe harbor to insurance companies that work with state-legal cannabis businesses.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) introduced legislation last month to protect the Second Amendment rights of people who use marijuana in legal states, allowing them to purchase and possess firearms that they’re currently prohibited from having under federal law.

Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have filed a bill to incentive state and local marijuana expungements with a federal grant program.

Last month, Joyce and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) filed a measure designed to prepare the federal government for marijuana legalization, directing the attorney general to form a commission to study and make recommendations about regulating cannabis in a way similar to alcohol.

States Have Generated Over $15 Billion In Marijuana Tax Revenue Since 2014, Though Earnings Declined Last Year, Report Finds

Bipartisan U.S. House And Senate Lawmakers Reintroduce Marijuana Banking Bill

Bipartisan Senate and House lawmakers have refiled a much-anticipated bill to free up banking services for the marijuana industry.

Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT), along with Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), reintroduced the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in their respective chambers on Wednesday.

The legislation, which has been slightly revised since last session, would protect banks that work with state-legal cannabis businesses from being penalized by federal regulators.

“Forcing legal businesses to operate in all-cash is dangerous for our communities; it’s an open invitation to robbery, money laundering, and organized crime—and it’s way past time to fix it,” Merkley said in a press release. “For the first time, we have a path for SAFE Banking to move through the Senate Banking Committee and get a vote on the floor of the Senate.”

Right now, legal cannabis businesses are forced to operate entirely in cash. It's a dangerous system—ripe for robbery, assaults, tax fraud, and money laundering. If you care about public safety, cash is a terrible system.

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 26, 2023

“Let’s make 2023 the year that we get this bill signed into law so we can ensure that all legal cannabis businesses have access to the financial services they need to help keep their employees, their businesses, and their communities safe,” he said.

Cannabis reform needs to be rooted in restorative justice. The SAFE Banking Act of 2023 includes expanded equity provisions, and I’m going to be pushing to pair it with funding for states that choose to expunge cannabis records as part of a final package. #SAFEBankingAct

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 26, 2023

Daines said that the legislation would “provide the security and peace of mind that legal Montana cannabis businesses need to freely use banks, credit unions and other financial products without a fear of punishment” and also “help keep our Montana communities safe, keep crime off the streets, support Montana small businesses and bolster local economies.”

This latest version further makes clear that the safe harbor is extended to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) that make commercial loans to minority-owned businesses—a new provision that advocates pushed for last Congress.

Another addition to the bill that wasn’t in prior versions provides marijuana industry workers access to federally backed mortgage loans.

“As it stands, the federal government has denied state-legal cannabis companies the same access to financial services as every other legal business across the Buckeye State and our country,” Joyce, co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said. “Not only does this distort the market in a growing industry, but it also forces businesses to operate in all cash, making them and their employees sitting ducks for violent robberies.”

“The bipartisan SAFE Banking Act will allow cannabis businesses to operate legally without fear of punishment by federal regulators, making our communities safer,” he said.

Blumenauer, founder of the Cannabis Caucus, said that the bill “will save lives and livelihoods.”

“It is past time that Congress addresses the irrational, unfair, and unsafe prohibition of basic banking services to state-legal cannabis businesses,” he said. “The House has passed the SAFE Banking Act on a bipartisan basis seven times. I am delighted that the Senate is joining us in making it a priority.”

Beside Merkley and Daines, the Senate bill has 38 additional cosponsors, including five Republican members.

Those supporters are Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Dan Sullivan (D-AK), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Rand Paul (R-KY), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Gary Peters (D-MI) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

The House version has eight additional cosponsors in addition to the two leads.

Those lawmakers are Reps. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Jim Himes (D-CT), Brian Mast (R-FL), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) and Lou Correa (D-CA).

Of course, this is not the so-called SAFE Plus package of marijuana banking and expungements legislation that Senate leadership worked to advance last year but which fell short of being enacted.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said earlier this month that his panel will take up cannabis banking reform on its own, leaving equity and criminal justice proposals to other committees of jurisdiction.

Merkley and Daines released a separate joint statement on Wednesday that addressed the prospects for SAFE Plus, saying the introduction of the revised standalone bill “puts us on a path to move through the Senate Banking Committee and get a vote on the floor of the Senate,” but there will be an “opportunity to add additional regular-order passed provisions” when it reaches the floor.

The senators cited recently filed bipartisan proposals on marijuana expungements and gun rights as examples of potential add-ons to the legislation.

“This expanded ‘SAFE Banking Plus’ package will represent the largest-ever cannabis reform legislation with bipartisan support in Congress,” they said. “We are committed to making 2023 the year a bill is signed into law that ensures all legal cannabis businesses have access to the financial services they need.”

This will be a historic moment: the largest-ever cannabis reform package with bipartisan support. We have momentum on our side—we can get this done. https://t.co/Ie0wGy541x

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 26, 2023

With a divided Congress that has Republicans in control of the House, the expectation is that lawmakers will need to focus on incremental marijuana measures like the banking bill, instead of broader justice-centered legalization, to get any amount of reform passed this session.

But a vote in the Senate on Wednesday has raised questions about whether any modest cannabis reform is achievable under the current congressional makeup. Senate Republicans blocked a procedural motion to advance a bipartisan bill to simply require studies into the medical potential of cannabis for military veterans with chronic pain and PTSD.

The standalone SAFE Banking Act has been approved along largely bipartisan lines in the House in some form several times in recent years. But it’s consistently stalled out in the Senate under both Democratic and Republican leadership.

Advocates have been anticipating that the legislation would originate in the Senate this round, but it appears that lawmakers decided to start with a bicameral push.

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that he was “disappointed” that the so-called SAFE Plus package of marijuana banking and expungements legislation he worked on last year didn’t advance, saying “we came close,” but “we ran into opposition in the last minute.” He said lawmakers will continue to “work in a bipartisan way” to get the job done.

“Until we reach our goal, I promise to be in your corner and work like hell bringing federal cannabis policy into the 21st century,” he said. “We will need you, as we always do, to reach out to members of both parties, in both chambers—especially Republican—so we can make progress on cannabis reform.”

The majority leader has been holding meetings with Democraticand Republican members in the early months of the new Congress to discuss cannabis reform proposals that might have bipartisan buy-in this year.

For his part, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said recently that lawmakers are working to “resurrect” the cannabis reform package, acknowledging that failure to advance a banking fix for the industry “literally means that hundreds of businesses go out of business.

Blumenauer, who filed a bill to allow marijuana businesses to take federal tax deductions last week, said at a recent press briefing that thinks it’s important that advocates and lawmakers align on any incremental proposals to end the drug war, warning against an “all-or-nothing” mentality.

Meanwhile, a number of cannabis bills were filed last week leading up to 4/20, though lawmakers didn’t explicitly say that the timing was related to the unofficial marijuana holiday.

For example, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) introduced legislation last week to protect the Second Amendment rights of people who use marijuana in legal states, allowing them to purchase and possess firearms that they’re currently prohibited from having under federal law.

Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have filed a bill to incentive state and local marijuana expungements with a federal grant program.

Earlier this month, Joyce and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) filed a measure designed to prepare the federal government for marijuana legalization, directing the attorney general to form a commission to study and make recommendations about regulating cannabis in a way similar to alcohol.

On the Senate side, lawmakers are set to vote on a motion to invoke cloture on a bill to promote research into marijuana for military veterans. The procedural vote to bring the legislation to the floor is scheduled for Wednesday.

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Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.