Congressional Cannabis Caucus Has Yet to Convene Amid Shifting Priorities
Six Months Into New Legislative Session, Marijuana Reform Remains Dormant in Bipartisan Cannabis Working Group
As the 119th Congress reaches its midway point, the Congressional Cannabis Caucus has yet to hold a single official meeting, signaling a potential slowdown for marijuana reform in the current legislative session. Despite multiple cannabis bills being introduced—some by the caucus’s own members—the group has not formally gathered to discuss its policy goals or coordinate a legislative strategy.
This development marks a notable delay for one of Capitol Hill’s most visible bipartisan coalitions advocating cannabis policy reform, especially at a time when broader marijuana-related issues remain unresolved at both the federal and administrative levels.
Representatives Ilhan Omar and Dina Titus Step In As Co-Chairs Without Hosting an Introductory Meeting
This session brought new leadership to the Democratic side of the Cannabis Caucus. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) replaced long-serving cannabis reform champions Earl Blumenauer and Barbara Lee. Yet, as of now, the caucus has not convened under the new leadership structure.
While staffers from co-chair offices are reportedly in communication, the absence of a formal introductory meeting is seen as a missed opportunity to realign bipartisan strategy, particularly in light of numerous reform efforts already underway in Congress. With the new co-chairs still settling into their roles, observers are concerned about the caucus’s ability to remain a meaningful legislative force during this session.
Key Bills and Advocacy Efforts Put on Hold Due to Competing Legislative Demands
According to congressional staffers, the current delay in caucus meetings is largely due to ongoing appropriations battles and budget negotiations, which have dominated legislative calendars on both sides of the aisle. As lawmakers prioritize government funding, immigration, and other headline issues, cannabis reform has been relegated to the background.
This slow progress has frustrated advocates who hoped to see early momentum on issues such as federal decriminalization, banking access for cannabis businesses, and protection of state-level legalization frameworks. Despite bipartisan support for some of these proposals, the legislative machinery appears stalled.
Members Continue to File Marijuana Legislation in the Absence of Formal Caucus Coordination
Despite the inaction from the caucus itself, its members have not been idle. Representative Dave Joyce (R-OH), a Republican co-chair of the caucus, reintroduced the STATES 2.0 Act, which seeks to end federal marijuana prohibition in states that have legalized cannabis and establish a federal regulatory framework for interstate commerce.
In parallel, Representatives Omar and Titus have also co-sponsored legislation aimed at removing outdated restrictions on the White House’s ability to advocate for marijuana rescheduling or legalization. These efforts underscore the individual commitment of members to the issue, even in the absence of formal caucus activity.
President Trump Has Yet to Act on Campaign Promises to Reschedule Cannabis
While cannabis reform bills remain stuck in Congress, the executive branch’s approach to marijuana policy under President Donald Trump’s second term also remains unclear. Despite campaign-trail endorsements of rescheduling marijuana and expanding access to banking, the president has remained publicly silent on cannabis since taking office.
At the same time, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has taken no further action on the rescheduling process initiated under the previous administration. The nomination of Terrance Cole to lead DEA has only added uncertainty, as he has previously voiced concern over youth cannabis use and its connection to mental health risks.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Cole pledged to make reviewing cannabis scheduling one of his top priorities, but he did not offer a specific policy stance. Meanwhile, the DEA’s administrative review process remains paused, with no hearings or actions scheduled.
Trump Administration Officials Show Ambivalence on Federal Marijuana Policy
Adding to the policy ambiguity is the recent Senate confirmation of Pam Bondi as U.S. Attorney General. Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, was an outspoken opponent of medical marijuana legalization during her state tenure. During her federal confirmation hearings, she declined to clarify how the Justice Department would approach cannabis-related issues moving forward.
This lack of commitment raises further concerns that federal enforcement policies may remain inconsistent or subject to political influence, rather than being guided by public opinion or state-level legalization trends.
Internal Republican Polling Shows Strong Support for States’ Rights on Marijuana
Even as federal cannabis policy remains static, some GOP insiders are encouraging a more progressive stance on the issue. Former congressman and current Trump ally Matt Gaetz (R-FL) recently voiced support for rescheduling marijuana, arguing that embracing cannabis reform could help Republicans attract younger voters in future elections.
Supporting this theory, a GOP-commissioned poll conducted in April found that a majority of Republicans support marijuana rescheduling, with even stronger support for allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference. This sentiment is gaining traction within Republican circles, even if it has yet to translate into unified action in Congress.
Congress Continues to Fall Behind as State Legalization Expands Nationwide
As state after state continues to pass medical and adult-use cannabis legalization measures, the disconnect between federal and state law grows more untenable. Yet Congress has failed to pass comprehensive reform, despite years of polling that consistently shows strong support for marijuana legalization across party lines.
Without proactive action from the Cannabis Caucus or key leadership in Congress, advocates fear that momentum for reform could fade, particularly if legislative gridlock persists through the 2025–2026 session.
Congressional Researchers Suggest Lawmakers Hold the Key to Swift Policy Reform
In a recent analysis, congressional researchers reaffirmed that lawmakers could reschedule marijuana more quickly than the DEA, and with greater legal clarity. By acting legislatively, Congress could avoid the kind of administrative and judicial bottlenecks that have long stalled reform efforts under multiple presidential administrations.
Despite this recommendation, the political will to pass such legislation remains elusive, as both parties continue to weigh competing priorities and midterm election strategies.
Calls Grow for the Bipartisan Group to Regain Leadership on National Cannabis Policy
With no meetings held, no public strategy announced, and no unified messaging on major cannabis bills, questions are now being raised about the future relevance of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. Advocates who once saw the group as a beacon of bipartisan cooperation now wonder whether it can reclaim its former influence.
As states forge ahead with legalization and public support for reform reaches record levels, the silence from the caucus threatens to leave a leadership vacuum in the national cannabis policy conversation.
