The Path Forward for Cannabis Legalization Nationwide | SXSW 2021

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, will join by POLITICO Cannabis Reporter Natalie Fertig to discuss the path forward for legalizing cannabis. Blumenauer led the effort in the House to pass the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act to end the federal prohibition of cannabis and ensure restorative justice for those impacted by it. The historic 2020 vote marked the first time a full chamber of Congress voted to end this prohibition. Now, with a new presidential administration and Senate majority, along with cannabis momentum across the country, Blumenauer and Fertig will discuss the renewed outlook for federal legalization. They’ll also explore the changing cannabis policy landscape as more states incorporate regulatory frameworks and restorative justice policies for communities most impacted by the war on drugs. #WeedWatch

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36 Comments

  1. @MrApplewine on February 24, 2025 at 5:45 am

    Obama and Biden both have the power to unilaterally legalize cannabis under the controlled substance act and reverse the decision made by Richard Nixon. Obama and Biden are not Liberals. Congress can do this also, but the law gives the power to the executive as well.

  2. @ItsaRomethingeveryday on February 24, 2025 at 5:45 am

    I been put in jail twice for possession of marijuana, and both times it has cost me thousands of dollars, were talking simple possession of an ounce, cost me money, my driver’s license, and my job as well, and still living in fear in a state where it’s still illegal

  3. @JennaLeeEquals3 on February 24, 2025 at 5:45 am

    Just call it what it is A FAKE WAR ON DRUGS BECAUSE THE GVT IS THE ONE BRINGING THEM IN!!!!!!!

  4. @SenorJuan2023 on February 24, 2025 at 5:45 am

    It’s embarrassing that the American Federal Government is one of the most useless governments on the planet.

  5. @johndavis9591 on February 24, 2025 at 5:52 am

    When anyone does their time in jail and gets out, that individual should be granted a job…

  6. @jerrybisbo3824 on February 24, 2025 at 5:54 am

    The federal government should allow the states to set their own laws regarding marijuana. If it turned out to ba a bad substance and caused lots of problems then the federal government could condemn it . At least they would have a valid reason.

  7. @derekvest4033 on February 24, 2025 at 5:57 am

    It’s better to have a medical card because you get cannabis a lot cheaper most people be jealous because they have to pay a lot of money in your getting good good stuff makes perfect sense right who wouldn’t want a medical card

  8. @whiteowl8703 on February 24, 2025 at 6:00 am

    ITS ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY 💰

  9. @CHUNK_LIVES on February 24, 2025 at 6:00 am

    14:30 – He’s talking about The Marijuana Revenue & Regulation Act (MRRA) https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/420/text#toc-HF9F0DA5D5A394F5989D7DD6406C239B0 & The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act (RMLA). https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/420/text

    Wyden’s Senate Bill is a Companion Bill of his House Bill. The impact of these bills and to some extent, The MORE Act (which has the same tax provisions) will set up a Regulatory Structure under TTB that would mirror Alcohol and Tax Marijuana like Tobacco.

    The results would be a level playing field between large and small producers, create a Three-Tier System like Alcohol and separate the Manufacturing, Distribution, and Retail. In Alcohol, Vertical Integration is prohibited.

  10. @defikidsmusic on February 24, 2025 at 6:00 am

    All the current rhetoric on cannabis is a distraction from the truth. Cannabis is a scientifically proven benign plant that is beneficial to all humanity for food, clothing, shelter and medicine. Why after nearly 100 years of destroying lives due to unjust laws attributed to cannabis by governments should citizens accept a thriving $22 billion legal monopolized state by state legalization ploy by the wealthy, connected and privileged to continue to keep the public from attaining and growing this plant themselves? We shouldn’t. Time to end cannabis prohibition across the board. Growing cannabis is a human right. No other person on earth has right to deny another of this fact whether government or monarchy.

  11. @scottgecias1022 on February 24, 2025 at 6:05 am

    Just legalize it cops use it as a reason to steal

  12. @yourstruly9472 on February 24, 2025 at 6:06 am

    Rights and equality is for everybody, and after all no1 is dying from weed 👍💚😹✌️

  13. @thebaptist3585 on February 24, 2025 at 6:07 am

    It’s all about politics and control. America is the symbol of freedom. American’s give up freedom for mediocrity!

  14. @mississippimedicalcannabis6643 on February 24, 2025 at 6:08 am

    Chuck shumore is making cannabis recreational soon worldwide 🌐

  15. @CharlesGoodwins420 on February 24, 2025 at 6:09 am

    If You don’t Legalize it,You are betraying Your Oath of Office and Ignoring Will of America to End the Republican Drug War and Police State!!

  16. @drsmetal2747 on February 24, 2025 at 6:11 am

    The Republican party is reefer madness.

  17. @johncunningham8088 on February 24, 2025 at 6:13 am

    My problem with all of this is that people that don’t work , cant pass a drug test to get a job. Those dead beets that sit at home collecting welfair, I’m not only paying their wages, but supporting their habits as well. If the law’s were as they are with drinking and driving, where their was an aloud amount then the law would be fair for everyone.

  18. @thresh0014 on February 24, 2025 at 6:15 am

    Take a hit every time Earl says "uh,um,uhm" Good Luck. At one point he’s using "uH" as a coma and period. Happy uh 4/20

  19. @noconsentgiven on February 24, 2025 at 6:16 am

    I could see if cannabis wasnt accessible, but you can find it everywhere, so what are these holdout politicians trying to prove?

  20. @earugo2531 on February 24, 2025 at 6:17 am

    Decriminalization means doing away with regulations. How can he say they decrimilized and also regulate how many you can grow. And only 2 plants!!! Wtf!?! This guy is talking out of both sides of his mouth and it stinks. . .

  21. @blackmoses706 on February 24, 2025 at 6:17 am

    White people getting rich blacks and brown lock down the federal government has kkk members also

  22. @leeadickes7235 on February 24, 2025 at 6:17 am

    The Biden administration lied about supporting any cannabis reform. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sent the feds in to stop recreational sales.

  23. @viceverse11 on February 24, 2025 at 6:18 am

    I am sorry but aren’t these elected officials meant to represent the states to which elected them. Why does the American public have to convince them of anything? These senators need to vote in line with the states they represent and legalize.

    They don’t represent themselves nor should they have a personal agenda.

  24. @roostershooter76 on February 24, 2025 at 6:18 am

    The ONLY opposition to legalization, that I have found, are from Law Enforcement Agencies and those representatives that advocate for them. If my mother can become an advocate for medical, due to my autistic nephew needing the medication, it proves to me that prohibition needs to end. If she can support it, anyone can.

  25. @louie9373 on February 24, 2025 at 6:19 am

    Legalization is going to make people open their eyes and see the racism that the war on "drugs" is really about.

  26. @harrygearhart4520 on February 24, 2025 at 6:21 am

    Legalize it then legalize psilocybin.

  27. @gqp4800 on February 24, 2025 at 6:22 am

    64 and many like me. 50 years a boomer stoner and proud of it!

  28. @H20Spy on February 24, 2025 at 6:28 am

    The only ones wanting it to be illegal are the ones who are making money off of busting people and unjustifiably confiscating property and possessions from their victims.

  29. @RickSnowman on February 24, 2025 at 6:28 am

    the ONLY reason its not legal is they cannot tax it. it can be grown anywhere and that means no tax money…. its ALL about the MONEY

  30. @mississippimedicalcannabis6643 on February 24, 2025 at 6:29 am

    The dislikes 👎 are pharmaceutical workers

  31. @MrApplewine on February 24, 2025 at 6:30 am

    Where we should be today.

    All the non-opiate non-amphetamine non-cocaine drugs removed from the controlled substance act so states can handle those.

    Then keep the others illegal and criminal at federal level, but only for trafficking, profit and anything that is not part of a fully controlled state harm reduction plan that may be developed by the states in the future.

    Personal would be legal federally because that is not a federal issue. Then at the state level keep it illegal, but decriminalize personal use but criminal for sale and trafficking.

    Then investigate the harm reduction model at the state level to prevent people from dying or contracting infection and see what programs may be needed that would be in compliance with federal harm reduction law.

    That would not be total legalization, but it would not be a total drug war either. It is not so much a balanced approach as a nuanced and harmonic one.

  32. @amerigodeutero296 on February 24, 2025 at 6:34 am

    reform. racial injustice are all relevant however cure to cancer is even more so…

  33. @johncaldwell6430 on February 24, 2025 at 6:37 am

    This is a big mistake if they’re doing it for money. Connecticut gets billions from state lotteries and heaven only know how much h they get from the casinos. My question is where is all that money going in details; and why is Connecticut in debt.

  34. @earugo2531 on February 24, 2025 at 6:39 am

    Black markets matter!!!

  35. @MrApplewine on February 24, 2025 at 6:42 am

    He keeps talking about how president Trump is blocking federal legalization, but Biden is the president.

  36. @dorianchriste8645 on February 24, 2025 at 6:42 am

    The war on drugs is 100% an economic war. If you aren’t well off, you go to jail. If you’re privileged, you can do whatever you wish.

    No senators’s kids get long sentences for cannabis. They don’t lose their health insurance or housing. Senators don’t lose their jobs, homes and savings if their kids get busted for a joint.

    But if you are on any federal social benefits, (vets included) you could end up abandoned. This can be a death sentence for the elderly, the disabled or those struggling with a critical health concern. Exactly the people with the most need of legalization, with a potential mortal outcome for those depending on federal housing, food and medical care. Stop killing the poor. End the war on people.

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