Congressmen partner to create Cannabis Caucus

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U.S. Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California, and Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, are reaching across the political aisle to form a caucus to help pass federal cannabis reform laws.

Rohrabacher, a staunch marijuana industry ally and optimist when it comes to the incoming Trump administration, told DecodeDC the idea was to focus on the states’ rights argument in favor of cannabis legalization.

“There needs to be more strategy between us, those of us who are engaged in this. More of a long-term strategy,” Rohrabacher told DecodeDC, referring to the new Cannabis Caucus.

Blumenauer also has a history of strong support for the cannabis industry. For one, he’s traveled across the country to aid states in their efforts to legalize medical and recreational marijuana.

The group will likely start meeting in January, with Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, serving as spokesman.

Rohrabacher is one of the authors of the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, which prohibits the U.S. Justice Department from spending funds to interfere with the implementation of state medical marijuana laws. Congress has approved legislation renewing the amendment until at least April 28 of next year.