National Cannabis Advocacy Coalition Urges Congress to Enact Comprehensive Legalization and Expungement
A coalition of 41 advocacy groups lobbied Congress during Cannabis Week of Unity, urging federal legalization, record expungement, and equitable reform as the disconnect between state and federal marijuana laws persists
Key Points
- 1A coalition of 41 advocacy groups held a coordinated lobbying campaign on Capitol Hill from May 12-14
- 2The coalition advocated for federal cannabis legalization, the release of cannabis prisoners, and expungement of records
- 3The MORE Act (HR 5068) would fully deschedule cannabis and establish restorative justice measures
- 4Advocates highlighted disproportionate impacts on Latino communities and called for equity-focused reforms
- 5The campaign included support for bills protecting state-legal businesses, veterans, and residents in federally assisted housing
A powerful coalition of 41 national advocacy organizations converged on Capitol Hill from May 12-14, launching the Cannabis Week of Unity to demand sweeping federal marijuana reforms. The effort brought together labor unions, veterans’ groups, civil liberties advocates, legal experts, business leaders, and directly impacted individuals, all united behind three core goals: federal legalization of cannabis, release of federal cannabis prisoners, and expungement of records to restore civil rights. Over three days, the coalition lobbied lawmakers on a package of 13 cannabis and hemp reform bills, reflecting mounting pressure for Congress to resolve the ongoing disconnect between state and federal marijuana policies
The coalition’s push comes at a pivotal moment. While most U.S. states have legalized cannabis for medical or adult use, marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, perpetuating legal and economic contradictions. Last month’s move by the Trump administration to reschedule state-legal medical marijuana has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive federal reform. According to Marijuana Moment, advocates argue that piecemeal administrative changes are not enough to address the harms of prohibition or to unlock equitable opportunities in the burgeoning cannabis industry
Central to the coalition’s demands is the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, introduced as HR 5068. The bill would fully remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, eliminate federal criminal penalties, establish automatic expungement and resentencing pathways, and direct federal cannabis tax revenues toward community reinvestment. "Cannabis reform is the most popular issue in American politics, and now that the president has signaled he is open to reform, it’s on Congress to pass a comprehensive legalization bill that centers the release of cannabis prisoners who should no longer be incarcerated," said Jason Ortiz, director of strategic initiatives for the Last Prisoner Project and cofounder of the Latino Cannabis Alliance
Advocates emphasized the disproportionate impact of federal prohibition on minority and immigrant communities, especially Latinos. Jessica Gonzalez, president of the Latino Cannabis Alliance, told reporters, “Over 70 percent of people sentenced federally for cannabis possession are classified as Hispanic. That is not a coincidence but the result of a system that fused cannabis prohibition and immigration enforcement into a deportation pipeline, and aimed it at our families.” The coalition also highlighted the economic barriers faced by minority entrepreneurs, as Susie Plascencia of Latinas in Cannabis noted, “Latino entrepreneurs are among the fastest-growing in the country, building businesses despite systemic barriers we are here to demand federal action Because equity is not just about repairing harm—it’s about investing in the future.”
Beyond the MORE Act, the coalition advocated for a range of targeted reforms, including the STATES 2.0 Act to protect state-legal businesses, the PREPARE Act to establish a federal regulatory commission, and the Clean Slate Act to automatically seal records for nonviolent cannabis convictions. Additional legislative priorities included protections for veterans and residents of federally assisted housing, as well as measures to remove research barriers and clarify hemp regulations. Several lawmakers expressed support, but the coalition faces significant challenges amid congressional gridlock and entrenched opposition
From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, this coordinated advocacy campaign signals a growing sense of urgency and unity within the cannabis reform movement. With federal and state policies increasingly at odds, pressure is mounting on Congress to enact comprehensive changes that address legalization, equity, and restorative justice. The coming months will reveal whether this momentum can translate into legislative breakthroughs or if further national mobilization will be required to end cannabis prohibition and repair its lasting harms
