The 35 Standing Tall: How Cannabis Supporters in Congress Are Changing the Game & Why Locals Still Hold the Power

A Wave Is Coming 🌊 

When it comes to adult-use cannabis, a wave of support is rising in Congress—and 35 current members have proven they're not just talking the talk. They're showing up, sponsoring legislation, voting "yes" on reform, and taking public stances that challenge decades of failed drug policy. But even with these champions in place, prohibition remains alive. Why? Because those still in power who oppose legalization are counting on local silence. Here's a breakdown of the 35 members of Congress who support adult-use cannabis, what they've done, and what it all means for your voice and vote.

 

🌿 The 35 Congressional Cannabis Champions & Their Actions

Each of the lawmakers below has taken tangible action to support adult-use cannabis. From sponsoring bills to voting in favor of landmark legislation like the MORE Act or the PREPARE Act, their efforts have pushed the needle toward justice, equity, and freedom.

1. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)

Support: Founder of Congressional Cannabis Caucus; sponsor of numerous cannabis bills, including the MORE Act.

Actions: Spearheaded reform talks in House; voted repeatedly for decriminalization.

Impact: Helped normalize cannabis discussions in Congress.

2. Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Support: Regular cosponsor of legalization bills.

Actions: Advocated for racial equity in cannabis laws.

Impact: Raised awareness in conservative-leaning districts.

3. Brian Mast (R-FL)

Support: Cannabis Caucus co-chair; Republican voice for reform.

Actions: Cosponsored the States Reform Act.

Impact: Bridges bipartisan cannabis support.

4. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)

Support: Cosponsor of PREPARE Act.

Actions: Advanced planning for federal cannabis regulation.

Impact: Built pathway for structured legalization.

5. Ilhan Omar (D-MN)

Support: Cannabis Caucus member.

Actions: Advocated for community reinvestment.

Impact: Elevated equity discussions nationally.

6. Dina Titus (D-NV)

Support: Member of Cannabis Caucus.

Actions: Voted for cannabis banking and MORE Act.

Impact: Advocated for Nevada’s cannabis economy.

7. David Joyce (R-OH)

Support: Co-leader of GOP-backed cannabis reform.

Actions: Authored and sponsored the PREPARE Act.

Impact: Helped validate Republican-led reform.

8. Jerry Nadler (D-NY)

Support: Lead sponsor of the MORE Act.

Actions: Guided bill through Judiciary Committee.

Impact: Positioned federal legalization as viable law.

9. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Support: Senate sponsor of legalization efforts.

Actions: Partnered on Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.

Impact: Merged social justice with cannabis reform.

10. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Support: Openly supportive since 2015.

Actions: Cosponsored and introduced legalization legislation.

Impact: Mainstreamed cannabis reform in presidential debates.

11. Barbara Lee (D-CA)

Support: Cannabis Caucus founding member.

Actions: Championed expungement bills.

Impact: Centered racial justice in cannabis discussions.

12. Jared Huffman (D-CA)

Support: Regular YES votes on reform.

Actions: Advocated for sustainable cannabis cultivation.

Impact: Strengthened support in environmentally focused legislation.

13. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Support: Publicly advocates for legalization.

Actions: Sponsored amendments to redirect cannabis enforcement funding.

Impact: Tied cannabis reform to broader justice initiatives.

14. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)

Support: Vocal legalization supporter.

Actions: Proposed cannabis expungement and reinvestment bills.

Impact: Elevated intersectional lens in drug reform.

15. Nancy Mace (R-SC)

Support: Introduced States Reform Act.

Actions: Only GOP woman leading on cannabis reform.

Impact: Created conservative pathway for legalization.

16. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)

Support: Strong support for decriminalization.

Actions: Cosponsored cannabis banking and expungement bills.

Impact: Fused cannabis reform with economic justice.

17. Ro Khanna (D-CA)

Support: Cosponsor of federal cannabis reform bills.

Actions: Tied legalization to economic development.

Impact: Advanced message on cannabis jobs.

18. Andy Levin (D-MI)

Support: Supported MORE Act.

Actions: Advocated for cannabis unions and job rights.

Impact: Linked labor and legalization.

19. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

Support: Voted YES on MORE Act.

Actions: Pushed for cannabis justice reforms.

Impact: Gave Texas representation in reform.

20. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)

Support: Cosponsored MORE Act.

Actions: Advocated for reinvestment in Black communities.

Impact: Brought Brooklyn voice to federal reform.

21. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)

Support: Cosponsored several cannabis bills.

Actions: Centered harm reduction and social justice.

Impact: Influenced Democratic party stance.

22. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

Support: Pushed for D.C. cannabis rights.

Actions: Challenged congressional blocks on local cannabis laws.

Impact: Brought federal attention to home rule injustice.

23. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Support: Voted YES on cannabis reform.

Actions: Oversaw House floor scheduling for cannabis votes.

Impact: Helped prioritize cannabis legislation.

24. Jim McGovern (D-MA)

Support: Led Rules Committee to allow votes.

Actions: Fast-tracked cannabis bills to the floor.

Impact: Enabled multiple House votes on reform.

25. Mark Pocan (D-WI)

Support: Cosponsored reform bills.

Actions: Publicly supported legalization.

Impact: Built Midwest support for adult use.

26. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)

Support: Advocated for restorative justice.

Actions: Called for full legalization and release of non-violent cannabis prisoners.

Impact: Tied cannabis to incarceration reforms.

27. Thomas Massie (R-KY)

Support: Libertarian support for ending federal prohibition.

Actions: Voted against funding federal cannabis enforcement.

Impact: Gave liberty-focused reasoning to end prohibition.

28. Matt Gaetz (R-FL)

Support: Public cannabis advocate.

Actions: Backed reform bills in past Congress sessions.

Impact: Amplified conversation in conservative circles.

29. Tom McClintock (R-CA)

Support: Voted for MORE Act.

Actions: Broke GOP ranks to support decriminalization.

Impact: Reinforced bipartisan possibility.

30. Dean Phillips (D-MN)

Support: Voted YES on cannabis banking and legalization.

Actions: Tied cannabis to business fairness.

Impact: Supported access for entrepreneurs.

31. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)

Support: Vocal in cannabis racial justice.

Actions: Pushed for expungement.

Impact: Highlighted Detroit's cannabis inequality.

32. Mark Takano (D-CA)

Support: Consistent YES vote.

Actions: Advocated for veterans' cannabis access.

Impact: Fought for medical freedom and justice.

33. Maxine Waters (D-CA)

Support: Supported equity-focused cannabis reform.

Actions: Advocated for reinvestment in minority communities.

Impact: Added legacy civil rights weight to the movement.

34. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Support: Backed federal legalization.

Actions: Tied cannabis justice to constitutional rights.

Impact: Elevated intellectual framing for reform.

35. Chellie Pingree (D-ME)

Support: Supported adult-use and hemp access.

Actions: Backed farmers and small businesses in cannabis.

Impact: Fought for rural inclusion in the industry.

---

🚫 Why Prohibition Persists: The Power of Local Silence

Despite this groundswell of Congressional support, cannabis remains illegal federally. That’s not because these 35 aren’t working—it’s because opponents in Congress are betting that local voters won’t speak up.

When you don’t call your reps… they listen to those who do. When you don’t vote local… your silence protects those keeping racist cannabis laws in place. When you don’t demand better… those clinging to power justify prohibition as "the will of the people."

---

⚡️ The Root: Racism, Anslinger, and the Criminalization of Minorities

Make no mistake—keeping cannabis illegal isn’t about safety or science. It’s about control, and it always has been. Harry Anslinger, America’s first drug czar, used cannabis criminalization to target Black and Latino communities. His racist propaganda fueled decades of incarceration, state violence, and broken families.

Those who still fight to keep a plant illegal today are overlooking how:

Black Americans are nearly 4x more likely to be arrested for cannabis.

Latino communities remain over-policed for nonviolent drug offenses.

Legal markets continue to exclude those most harmed by the War on Drugs.

---

💬 Final Thought: Your Voice Is the Missing Link

These 35 members of Congress are fighting. But they can’t end prohibition alone. Your vote, your voice, your pressure on local officials is the firepower they need.

Because if we let prohibitionists keep the microphone, we’re letting Anslinger win.

Stand up. Speak out. Change the narrative.