41 Cannabis Groups Lobby Congress as Trump Rescheduling Falls Short

A coalition of 41 cannabis advocacy organizations descended on Capitol Hill this week for a coordinated lobbying effort, arguing that President Trump's recent move to reschedule marijuana doesn't go far enough and demanding Congress pass comprehensive legalization.

The Cannabis Week of Unity brought together groups ranging from criminal justice reform organizations to industry trade associations, all pressing lawmakers to advance federal legalization legislation that prioritizes releasing cannabis prisoners. "Cannabis reform is the most popular issue in American politics, and it's on Congress to pass a comprehensive legalization bill that centers the release of cannabis prisoners," organizers told lawmakers during the multi-day lobbying blitz.

The timing is deliberate. While Trump's administrative push to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act represents the most significant federal policy shift in decades, advocates argue rescheduling alone leaves fundamental problems unresolved—particularly the thousands of Americans still incarcerated for cannabis offenses that are now legal in 24 states.

What Advocates Want

The coalition's asks go well beyond rescheduling. They're pushing for full descheduling, which would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act entirely rather than simply moving it to a lower schedule. This distinction matters: Schedule III status would maintain federal control over cannabis and leave it subject to FDA regulation, while descheduling would treat it more like alcohol or tobacco.

Advocates are also demanding immediate action on criminal justice reforms, including automatic expungement of cannabis convictions and the release of federal cannabis prisoners. Currently, an estimated 2,800 people remain in federal prison on cannabis-related charges, with thousands more under supervised release or probation.

The lobbying effort comes as Congress remains deeply divided on cannabis policy despite broad public support—recent polling shows 70% of Americans favor legalization. While several comprehensive bills have been introduced, including the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, none have advanced through both chambers.

Industry Response

The push reflects growing frustration within both the advocacy community and the legal cannabis industry, which has operated in a federal gray area for years. While state-legal operators have generated over $30 billion in annual sales, they remain subject to punitive federal tax treatment under 280E and lack access to traditional banking services.

"Rescheduling is a step, but it's not the finish line," said one coalition member during the lobbying sessions. The groups argue that maintaining any level of federal scheduling perpetuates the failed War on Drugs approach and does nothing for the communities most harmed by prohibition.

Several industry trade groups participated in the week's events, highlighting how criminal justice reform and business concerns have become increasingly intertwined. The cannabis industry has faced criticism for not doing enough to address social equity issues, making this coalition effort notable for its explicit focus on prisoner release alongside industry concerns.

What's Next

The advocacy groups plan to maintain pressure on Congress through the current session, with particular focus on securing commitments from committee chairs who control whether cannabis legislation gets floor votes. They're targeting both Democratic and Republican offices, emphasizing polling data showing majority support for legalization across party lines.

But the path forward remains uncertain. Even with Trump's rescheduling move providing political cover, congressional Republicans have shown little appetite for comprehensive cannabis reform, while some Democrats remain skeptical of industry-friendly approaches that don't prioritize social equity.

The coalition says it will continue organizing similar lobbying efforts throughout 2025, with plans to expand beyond the current 41 organizations. They're also coordinating with state-level advocates to build pressure from constituents back home during congressional recess periods.

For now, the message to Congress is clear: rescheduling isn't enough, and the time for comprehensive reform is now.

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This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.