Congressional Democrats are intensifying their calls for President Joe Biden to harness his executive power in the final stretch of his presidency to make lasting changes to federal marijuana policies.
In a letter sent Monday, key lawmakers urged the president to build on the momentum of his past actions and take decisive steps toward cannabis reform, with a focus on additional pardons and broader regulatory changes. The letter, co-led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), stresses that Biden must continue addressing the harms caused by outdated marijuana policies, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
Expanding Biden’s Legacy on Cannabis Reform
The Democrats’ plea comes after the president’s previous actions, including the initiation of a regulatory process that could lead to marijuana’s reclassification and a series of pardons for low-level marijuana offenses. While these actions were celebrated, lawmakers argue they are only the beginning.
