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The Congressional Cannabis Caucus & Veteran-Allied Members

The Congressional Cannabis Caucus was founded February 16, 2017 as the first marijuana-focused congressional member organization. It serves as a forum for coordinating cannabis legislation, briefing members, and providing a policy home for veterans cannabis reform. Current co-chairs include prominent veteran advocates.

Who and What

Founded 2017. First congressional marijuana-focused organization. Founding co-chairs included Blumenauer (D-OR), Polis (D-CO), Rohrabacher (R-CA), and Young (R-AK). Current co-chairs include Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL, Army veteran), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN).

Founding and Purpose

The Congressional Cannabis Caucus was founded on February 16, 2017, by four members of Congress from both parties:

  • Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) — long-time cannabis reform advocate, introduced the Veterans Equal Access Act in every Congress from 2015 until his retirement
  • Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) — later elected Governor of Colorado; cannabis reform was a signature issue
  • Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) — co-authored the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment protecting state medical cannabis programs
  • Rep. Don Young (R-AK) — Alaska representative; supported state autonomy on cannabis policy

The Caucus serves several functions:

  • Provides a forum for cannabis-interested members to coordinate strategy
  • Organizes briefings on cannabis science, policy, and industry developments
  • Serves as a political counterweight to institutional federal resistance to cannabis reform
  • Creates public signaling that cannabis reform has congressional champions across party lines
  • Coordinates responses to cannabis-related executive branch actions

Current Co-Chairs

As of the 119th Congress (2025–2026), the Caucus co-chairs include:

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)

A combat-wounded Army veteran who lost both legs to an IED in Afghanistan. Mast is the current lead sponsor of the Veterans Equal Access Act (H.R. 1384). His personal authority on veteran issues and visible Republican affiliation make him a particularly effective voice for veteran cannabis reform. He has spoken publicly about VA pain management and the case for alternatives.

Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH)

Ohio Republican known for bipartisan work on cannabis banking and research issues. Former county prosecutor, adding law-and-order credibility to cannabis reform positions.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)

Nevada representative whose state has well-developed cannabis programs. Has focused on cannabis tourism, industry issues, and federal banking reform. Nevada.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN)

Minnesota representative who joined after Minnesota's recreational legalization. Focused on social equity dimensions of cannabis reform.

Other Key Veteran-Allied Members

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) — Retired January 2025

Blumenauer's legacy as a cannabis reform advocate is immense. He introduced the Veterans Equal Access Act every Congress from 2015. He co-founded the Cannabis Caucus. He co-authored the Rohrabacher-Farr (now Blumenauer) Amendment. He co-sponsored the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, signed into law December 2022 as the first and only standalone federal cannabis reform ever enacted. His retirement left a significant gap in cannabis advocacy leadership.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)

Key Republican champion in the Senate. Has led the Daines-Merkley amendments in Senate Appropriations since FY2016 and served as lead Republican sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act. Daines brings Western Republican authority to cannabis banking and veteran access legislation.

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Daines' primary partner in Senate cannabis work. Has noted at markup: "This committee has approved this amendment in every single markup since 2015." Merkley represents the Oregon delegation's traditional leadership on cannabis issues.

Relationship With Veterans Service Organizations

The Caucus has built working relationships with major veterans service organizations:

  • American Legion: Resolution 11 (2016) and ongoing advocacy have aligned the Legion with Caucus positions on research and rescheduling
  • IAVA: Ongoing coordination on member education and advocacy messaging
  • DAV: Focused on research and disability-related cannabis issues
  • VFW: Generally cautious but supportive of research funding and VA policy updates
  • VCP, VMCA: Specialized veteran cannabis advocacy organizations

The Caucus is one of the primary mechanisms through which these organizations engage with congressional leadership on cannabis issues.

Caucus Legislative Work

Caucus members have been involved in advancing:

  • Veterans Equal Access Act — introduced every Congress, passed multiple times, not enacted
  • SAFE Banking Act — passed House multiple times, not enacted
  • Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act — enacted December 2022, the first standalone federal cannabis reform ever enacted
  • MORE Act — House-passed comprehensive reform, not enacted
  • Rohrabacher-Farr / Blumenauer Amendment — protecting state medical programs from DOJ interference, renewed annually since 2014
  • Various appropriations amendments related to cannabis banking, research, and VA access

Limitations of Caucus Influence

The Caucus has real but limited influence:

  • It does not have leadership authority over major legislation
  • Individual members influence legislation through their committee assignments, not through Caucus membership
  • Caucus endorsement does not guarantee passage of any specific bill
  • Conference committee dynamics often override Caucus positions
  • Member turnover (retirements, electoral defeats) periodically disrupts Caucus continuity

Despite these limitations, the Caucus has been important primarily as signaling infrastructure. Its existence signals that cannabis reform has congressional champions, that the issue is bipartisan, and that veterans access is a legitimate policy concern rather than a fringe issue.

How Veterans Can Engage

  • Identify whether your representatives are Caucus members — if they are, thank them and encourage continued engagement. If they are not, ask them to consider joining.
  • Contact Caucus co-chairs directly about veteran cannabis issues, particularly Rep. Mast given his veteran status and Veterans Equal Access Act leadership
  • Share veteran-specific experiences that Caucus members can reference in advocacy work
  • Engage with VSOs that coordinate with the Caucus on policy
  • Watch for Caucus-organized briefings and hearings that may be open to the public or veteran advocacy groups

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