Keeping the Pressure On: Marijuana Advocates Push for Federal Legalization

Across the United States, marijuana advocates continue to marshal a sophisticated blend of grassroots energy and strategic lobbying to press for federal cannabis reform. With nearly half the country now participating in some form of legal cannabis market and public support for legalization remaining strong, activists and organizations are intensifying efforts to turn state-level victories into lasting national policy change.

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At the forefront of the reform movement is the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), one of the oldest and most established cannabis advocacy groups in America. Founded in 1970, NORML’s mission remains focused on ending cannabis criminalization, dismantling stigma, and advancing responsible policy through public education and direct engagement with lawmakers. The organization plays a central role in mobilizing supporters, tracking legislation, and amplifying constituent voices at both the state and federal levels.

Another major force in the legalization push is the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). Over the past two decades, MPP has helped shape successful ballot initiatives and legislative campaigns in states across the country. Its strategy blends political expertise, research-driven messaging, and coalition building to demonstrate that regulated cannabis markets can function responsibly while generating tax revenue and reducing arrests. These state-level wins are widely viewed as critical building blocks for federal reform.

In Washington, D.C., coalitions have become increasingly important. The Marijuana Justice Coalition, convened by the Drug Policy Alliance, unites civil rights organizations, criminal justice reform advocates, and cannabis policy groups around a shared goal: ending federal prohibition while repairing the harms caused by decades of enforcement. This coalition emphasizes equity-driven reform, ensuring that legalization includes expungement, community reinvestment, and fair access to the legal market.

Advocacy efforts have also extended directly into Congress. Groups such as NORML, MPP, the Drug Policy Alliance, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have jointly urged lawmakers to support comprehensive legislation like the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act). The bill proposes removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, expunging federal cannabis convictions, and reinvesting in communities disproportionately affected by prohibition—an approach that aligns closely with modern reform priorities.

Beyond legislation, justice-focused advocacy remains a driving force. The Last Prisoner Project concentrates on freeing individuals still incarcerated for cannabis offenses and clearing criminal records that continue to limit economic opportunity. Its legal and policy work underscores a central message of today’s reform movement: legalization without justice is incomplete.

At the grassroots level, state and local organizations continue to apply pressure where it matters most. Regional chapters of national groups and community-based coalitions organize lobby days, voter education efforts, and public forums that keep cannabis reform visible and politically relevant. These local actions reinforce the national narrative that voters increasingly expect federal lawmakers to modernize cannabis policy.

Despite political uncertainty in Washington, marijuana advocates show no signs of slowing down. Through coordinated lobbying, coalition building, and persistent public engagement, reformers are working to ensure federal legalization remains not just a talking point, but an achievable policy outcome.