John,

Time is quickly running out to pass substantive cannabis policy legislation into law this year. We need to act now!

With only a handful of days left in the 117th Congressional session and a new divided Congress taking over in less than a month, this is our last chance to convince lawmakers to act before the political outlook for marijuana progress on Capitol Hill becomes much more complicated.

And at this point, it all depends on the Senate.

Please contact your Senators today and urge them to pass cannabis policy reform legislation before the end of the current session.

As we speak, Senate leadership is wrapping up months-long negotiations on incremental but vital legislation that will likely consist of banking reform and federal funding for states to help facilitate expungement and conviction relief efforts. There is also hope that leadership may further agree upon the inclusion of anti-discrimination provisions, access to Small Business Administration loans and grants for licensed cannabis businesses, and improved access and protections for veterans who use cannabis. 

The importance of immediate action cannot be overstated. During the current session, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives has been very proactive in addressing marijuana issues and passed bills related to banking, facilitating research, and even ending federal prohibition altogether. However, with a changing of the guard in the lower chamber (and a razor-thin Democratic majority in the Senate), we can expect progress to slow significantly over the next two years, despite a growing number of outspoken Republican lawmakers and record support from majorities of voters in every party for making cannabis legal.

The coming days represent what could be our last, best chance at meaningful federal marijuana reform for years to come. Please help us keep this momentum.

Thank you for all you do to help us end prohibition and promote justice for cannabis consumers.

Sincerely,

Morgan Fox

NORML Political Director