GOP-Dem Unity On Cannabis: Is Ohio's Legalization Spurring Nationwide Bipartisan Momentum?

The recent legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio marked a significant shift in the United States where now over half the population has access to legal adult-use cannabis in addition to the nearly 80% of the country where medical marijuana is legal. 

Growing public support for cannabis, confirmed in a recent Gallup poll, was exemplified in Ohio in a bipartisan expression among citizens. Its GOP leadership is another story.

In addition to regular Americans, the expanding list of lawmakers speaking out for cannabis reform includes Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) who sent a letter to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram last week suggesting the agency act with “great urgency” to reschedule marijuana. The request was in line with a recommendation in late August from the Department of Health and Human Services to reschedule cannabis.

Federal Efforts Lag Far Behind US States In Cannabis Reform

Despite these changes at the state level, they do not as yet extend to the nearly three million federal employees across the nation who are prohibited from using marijuana due to its status as a federal crime. Contractors are in the same position. That could all change soon.

The Washington Post took a closer look at what's happening inside the beltway where the bipartisan Cannabis Users Restoration of Eligibility Act (CURE) was approved in a 30 to 14 vote in September. The CURE Act seeks to prevent federal government employers from using past marijuana usage as a reason to deny employment or security clearances. Current marijuana usage would remain a disqualifying factor. 

The Post quoted advocates like Morgan Fox, political director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) who pointed out that while there is no guarantee that growing national support for cannabis will necessarily result in quick Congressional action on the CURE Act…“there is certainly more justification for it being fast-tracked now that there are millions more potential federal job applicants who could be disqualified from gainful employment in the civil service for behavior that will be lawful very soon.”   

Personal Experience Influences The Debate 

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a co-sponsor of CURE has often shared her story that led to being prescribed antidepressants, which made her suicidal. Then she discovered cannabis as an alternative. “Cannabis saved my life,” Mace said. “And anyone that was in the same position that I was should not be penalized for using something that has saved their life.”

Another co-sponsor of CURE, Rep. Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.) highlighted the importance of allowing individuals who have used marijuana to serve their country.

“The CURE Act will ensure that talented individuals seeking to honorably serve our country are not precluded from doing so simply because they admit to having once used marijuana,” Raskin said in a September press release.

With bipartisan support for cannabis legalization on the rise, a comment from NORML's Fox seems to ring true. "Lawmakers generally have been taking notice and being more vocal about their support for incremental and comprehensive reforms.” 

NORML, one of the most successful cannabis advocacy groups in the U.S., was founded in 1970.

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Kindel Media and 12019 on Pixabay