Speaking candidly about the state of cannabis legislation, Merkley highlighted that despite bipartisan interest in reforming marijuana laws—particularly to ease banking restrictions for legal cannabis businesses—Congress has faced significant distractions that have pushed cannabis legislation down the priority list.
“The reality is that urgent issues like funding the government and addressing the humanitarian and geopolitical crisis in Ukraine have occupied the legislative agenda,” Merkley said. “Cannabis reform continues to be a serious issue, but it’s been sidelined by larger and more immediate challenges.”
Merkley has been a long-time advocate for the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow state-legal cannabis businesses access to traditional banking services without fear of federal reprisal. The legislation is widely viewed as a crucial step toward stabilizing the cannabis industry, which has long operated under a patchwork of cash-based workarounds due to federal restrictions.
The Oregon senator noted that many lawmakers support cannabis reform in principle, but the gridlock in Washington—compounded by divided party control and pressing international concerns—has made progress difficult. He expressed optimism, however, that the issue could regain momentum in the near future if appropriations bills and international matters stabilize.
“We’re still working hard behind the scenes,” Merkley emphasized. “There’s a coalition committed to moving cannabis policy forward in a thoughtful and bipartisan way. But timing is everything.”
Advocates and stakeholders across the cannabis industry have expressed growing frustration with the lack of federal movement, especially as legal markets continue to expand across states and entrepreneurs face mounting regulatory and financial hurdles. Many are calling on Congress to prioritize reforms that would provide greater safety, equity, and access to capital for cannabis operators.
Despite the recent slowdown, Senator Merkley and other reform advocates remain committed to pushing for change, stressing that the issue is not going away—it’s simply caught in the undertow of national and global priorities.
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