Congressional Cannabis Caucus Leader Reveals Widespread Marijuana Use Among Lawmakers

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a leading member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, has publicly stated that marijuana consumption is far more common among her colleagues on Capitol Hill than many might expect. In a candid interview with TMZ, Omar remarked, “I think there are a lot of people who smoke cannabis in Congress,” shedding light on the private behavior of lawmakers amid ongoing national debates about legalization

Omar emphasized that support for cannabis reform transcends personal use, urging Americans to recognize the broader policy implications. “Advocacy for legalizing doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a user,” she explained, noting that the financial and social costs of current prohibition laws are unsustainable. “Everybody can be an advocate for legalizing it, because we understand that it is not okay for us to spend the billions of dollars we do now on incarcerating people for smoking a joint,” Omar said

The congresswoman also addressed recent federal actions to reschedule marijuana, describing them as a positive but insufficient step forward. “I think any step forward is a good step, but we need to go farther than where we are at right now,” she told TMZ. Omar called for comprehensive federal legalization, highlighting that many states have already enacted such policies and that national reform is overdue

During a press conference with other lawmakers and cannabis advocates, Omar argued that Congress must align with public opinion on marijuana policy. “Millions of people across this country agree that cannabis should be legal. People understand that the old approach has failed,” she declared. Omar stressed that legalization should include justice and repair for communities disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs, including record expungement and support for small businesses and entrepreneurs

Meanwhile, legislative activity around cannabis reform continues in Congress. The House is set to consider an amendment allowing military veterans to receive medical marijuana recommendations through Veterans Affairs doctors, while recent appropriations bills have addressed both cannabis rescheduling and hemp industry concerns. Reports from the Congressional Research Service further outline the complexities and limitations of federal marijuana policy changes

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, Omar’s comments and the current legislative momentum signal a critical juncture for U.S. cannabis reform. With lawmakers openly acknowledging both personal use and the failures of prohibition, the conversation is shifting toward broader, more inclusive solutions. The industry should watch closely as Congress debates whether to move from incremental steps to comprehensive legalization and restorative justice