Meet The Man Behind Sen. Schumer's Cannabis Decriminalization Drive

In the marble-clad halls of Capitol Hill, Reggie Babin's name echoed with reverence. As the chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, he was instrumental in carving a new trajectory for cannabis policy in the United States. Babin's journey from Cedric Richmond's legislative director to one of the most influential cannabis policy advisors in Washington paints a vivid portrait of the battles waged and the hurdles leaped in the pursuit of cannabis decriminalization.

Reggie Babin’s latest rendezvous with POLITICO's Natalie Fertig offered an unfiltered glimpse into his experiences navigating the labyrinth of Washington’s policy-making machine.

A Meandering Path

Babing conceded that the path to cannabis decriminalization, while gaining momentum, is far from easy or immediate. “The reality is you’re trying to reverse the course of what is essentially 100 years of policy moving in one direction,” he revealed. “The nature of lawmaking in Washington is it is always more slow, more agonizing, more frustrating than anyone who wants a particular policy would want it to be.”

The transition from a homeland and energy focus to a judiciary one in Richmond's office in 2015 marked Babin's first stride into the realm of cannabis policy. His role in Schumer’s office, which he assumed in 2017, further deepened his involvement. When Jeff Sessions rescinded the Cole Memo in 2018, Schumer tasked Babin with crafting his stance on the issue. The outcome? Schumer emerged as the first congressional leader to advocate for the end of federal prohibition on cannabis.

The primary argument that Babin presented to Schumer in 2019 was multifaceted. It included a realistic representation of the growing public support for the issue, an examination of the history of cannabis enforcement, and a discussion of how it intersected with issues like race and justice. These factors played a significant role in pushing Schumer to champion cannabis decriminalization.

The Truth Behind The Push

Addressing speculations that Schumer’s push for decriminalization was a move to avoid being primaried from the left, Babin shrugged off such conjectures, reminding us that catering to constituents' wants in line with one's principles is a fundamental tenet of democratic representation. “He [Schumer] came out on this in 2018. No one comes up with a primary strategy four years in advance,” Babin told POLITICO.

Babin candidly discussed the intricacies of achieving legislative change, highlighting that public opinion alone cannot ensure victory. This is especially true in the Senate, where popular opinion has to contend with the supermajority requirement and the inherently more conservative disposition of the body.

Speaking on the timeframes for possible decriminalization, Babin suggested that a 2028 target might be too ambitious. He reminded us that changing a century-old policy direction is no easy feat and takes time.

Babin's advice for getting the Senate ready to decriminalize cannabis involves aligning Senators' votes with their home state politics and increasing the number of Republicans who have home state interest in cannabis reform.

After years of relentless work on Capitol Hill, Babin has transitioned to the private sector, taking a position at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. The decision was largely driven by a desire to balance work and his new role as a father. Despite leaving the hill, Babin remains optimistic about the potential for policy progress, particularly in areas such as safe banking and veterans' access to cannabis.

Babin will be a speaker at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done. The event is returning to Chicago this Sept 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Read the full interview on POLITICO PRO.