In an insightful briefing on Friday, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, founding co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, expressed confidence that the groundbreaking progress in marijuana policy would continue, hinting at an imminent shift in the federal classification of cannabis. Blumenauer believes that this year marks a pivotal moment in breaking the federal logjam surrounding cannabis legislation, stating that this will be the "last 4/20 celebration that cannabis will be on Schedule I."

During the briefing, Blumenauer acknowledged the significant role played by the public in pushing for marijuana reform at the state level. "The public is not waiting anymore. They have led the charge in state after state and are responsible for much of the remarkable progress," he remarked. With the upcoming November election, he urged his fellow Democrats to seize upon the issue's popularity and make it a key part of their platform.

Despite his own appreciation for the significance of April 20th, colloquially known as 4/20, Blumenauer's role in the nation's capital kept him from fully engaging in cannabis festivities. He humorously stated that "every day is like 4/20," but regretfully noted that his voting responsibilities tempered the celebration.

Blumenauer further emphasized that progress is also being made in cannabis banking reform. He addressed the prospects of the GOP-led House taking up the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act if it advances out of the Senate. Although some lawmakers, such as Sen. Rand Paul, expressed doubts about the House's willingness to embrace the bill due to partisan politics, Blumenauer saw a possible pathway. He highlighted ongoing negotiations in the House and Senate and asserted that bipartisan support for the legislation was growing stronger.

Looking ahead, Blumenauer predicted that 2024 would be a "productive year" for federal marijuana reform, leveraging the bipartisan investments anticipated in 2023. He urged lawmakers to push the Biden administration for further action on the issue before this year's election, believing that significant progress could be achieved.

Blumenauer also joined forces with Rep. Barbara Lee to address Attorney General Merrick Garland, expressing concern over the Department of Justice's failure to reissue federal cannabis enforcement guidance. They insisted that it was unacceptable that Americans were left in a "legal limbo" despite promises to update the policy.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also chimed in, reaffirming his commitment to passing legislation that would safeguard cannabis banking. He emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation in moving forward with the busy legislative agenda in the weeks and months to come.

While the exact timing of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' final rulemaking on the rescheduling of marijuana remains unclear, expectations are high that an announcement will be made before the upcoming elections. The DEA's review process typically takes up to six months, but it has been longer since they initiated the current assessment of cannabis.

As the momentum for marijuana policy reform builds, it appears that significant changes could be on the horizon. With strong bipartisan support, the future of cannabis rescheduling and banking reform remains promising.