Marijuana Moment: How Politicians Are Celebrating The Marijuana Holiday 4/20 This Year

[Tokeativity]

The country has come a long way since the days of politicians dismissing or shying away from marijuana issues. And a good example of that shift is the ever-growing number of lawmakers who are leaning into the cannabis holiday 4/20 with calls for reform.

For example, to kick of Tuesday’s Senate session, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the floor about the need to end federal marijuana prohibition, saying that “hopefully the next time this unofficial holiday 4/20 rolls around, our country will have made progress.”

Then there are the tweets—so many tweets—from state and congressional lawmakers, office seekers and regulators marking the occasion. It’s become a theme each year, and as more states pursue legalization, it seems more elected officials have grown comfortable embracing the holiday in their own ways.

Here’s what politicians are saying about cannabis this 4/20: 

Members of Congress

Happy 420.

From the Senate Majority Leader.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2021

The war on drugs was a war on people – and it was a failure. It’s time to legalize marijuana at the federal level. https://t.co/07G5crRzGa

— Chuck Schumer (@chuckschumer) April 20, 2021

Working as hard as I can to Legalize It this year. #420

— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) April 20, 2021

We should legalize cannabis nationwide. #LegalizeIt

— Jeff Merkley (@JeffMerkley) April 20, 2021

Legalizing marijuana and wiping clean past convictions for marijuana-related offenses won’t fully erase the legacy of racist policy that has torn apart Black and Brown communities – but it’s a good start. It’s way past time for the Senate to get this right.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) April 20, 2021

In 2020, Colorado's marijuana industry:
Supported more than 35,000 jobs
Generated $2.2 billion in sales
Raised nearly $387.5 million in tax revenue for education, health initiatives, and more

Legal weed is good for Colorado — to put it bluntly. #420day

— Senator John Hickenlooper (@SenatorHick) April 20, 2021

Spending 4/20 the only way I know how – at the U.S. Capitol advocating to end the failed prohibition of cannabis and ensure restorative justice for those harmed by the war on drugs. #LegalizeIt pic.twitter.com/2Z5xgWYTxi

— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) April 20, 2021

Spoke with @YahooFinance's @ZGuz on 4/20 about what the new Congressional makeup means for our cannabis reform efforts. pic.twitter.com/M1kq7eFhOl

— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) April 20, 2021

We need to legalize cannabis use. It’s time to repair the damage the failed and racist War on Drugs left on our communities of color.

— Barbara Lee (@BLeeForCongress) April 20, 2021

Today is our annual reminder that the federal gov’t must GET OUT OF THE WAY of states that have acted to reform their cannabis laws. Our outdated federal policies are crushing legal businesses, locking up non-violent offenders, and infringing on personal liberty every single day. pic.twitter.com/Ksne9WtTsM

— Rep. Don Young (@repdonyoung) April 20, 2021

In 2014, Alaskans spoke loud and clear when they voted for legalization. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, I’m committed to getting the federal gov't out of the way, and ensuring that other states are free to make the same choice as Alaska did if they so choose.

— Rep. Don Young (@repdonyoung) April 20, 2021

Happy 420

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 20, 2021

Marijuana #legalization is about racial equality + economic justice. It's how we can ensure small businesses and communities of color can participate. It's why I voted to legalize cannabis last year and will do so again. @NORML @MarijuanaPolicy https://t.co/Wn8D5px1Vg pic.twitter.com/abZZniV9aL

— Dwight Evans (@DwightEvansPA) April 20, 2021

One of the more popular bipartisan issues today is the #legalization of marijuana. Reach out to your elected officials and find out where they stand. #FinishTheFight #LegalizeIt pic.twitter.com/h8NlFbD3JP

— Dwight Evans (@DwightEvansPA) April 20, 2021

We know that people of color in this country—specifically Black Americans—are disproportionately arrested for marijuana possession. Part of reforming our criminal justice system means getting rid of laws that allow for discriminatory enforcement.

— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) April 20, 2021

Congressional candidates

The criminalization of marijuana has been a disaster. It’s time we finally legalize it, expunge past convictions and invest in the communities of color that have been devastated by the failed and racist War on Drugs.#420day

— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) April 20, 2021

State officials and parties

Proud that New Jersey is standing on the right side of history. We’re leaving an unjust approach to marijuana behind for greener pastures and a budding new industry. #420day

— Phil Murphy (@PhilMurphyNJ) April 20, 2021

As people around the state celebrate 4/20 today, I want to be blunt in recognizing that the purchase of legal marijuana products through state-licensed facilities not only means a more safe product, but it also means more tax dollars for schools, roads, and communities.

— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) April 20, 2021

The right side of history:

Legal Weed for PA

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 20, 2021

You can read all about our #legALize agenda at https://t.co/rpDlDqsFOd. The economic and social benefits of legalizing recreational cannabis use are well-documented. Other states have done it. Alabama needs to be next!

— Alabama Democrats (@aldemocrats) April 20, 2021

Harmful cannabis policy has put thousands of non-violent Alabamians in jail– most of them Black and Brown people– and cost the state and municipalities millions of dollars.

It's time AL restored the lives destroyed by centuries of unfair policing and sentencing. #legALizeit pic.twitter.com/ritvXw9LjU

— Alabama Democrats (@aldemocrats) April 20, 2021

Legal marijuana is a budding industry for Michigan, it has:
Supported more than 18,000 jobs
Generated $100 million in sales last month and on track for $1 billion this year

Legal marijuana is good for Michigan — to put it bluntly. #420day https://t.co/kYfznxgSNQ

— Michigan Democrats (@MichiganDems) April 20, 2021

Pass it on.

— Wisconsin Democrats (@WisDems) April 20, 2021

On Tuesday, @SenSharifStreet will be hosting a bipartisan roundtable discussion on legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania.

The discussion –which you can watch online at 8am Tuesday — will take place in Harrisburg.

You can watch the discussion https://t.co/Yowv72POLn pic.twitter.com/jiicfAOvt3

— PaSenateDems (@PaSenateDems) April 19, 2021

Join @SenSharifStreet & @senatorlaughlin as they host a bipartisan roundtable discussion this morning on legalizing adult-use marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Watch the discussion live https://t.co/Yowv72POLn pic.twitter.com/nvEq8Vye3I

— PaSenateDems (@PaSenateDems) April 20, 2021

Florida should be improving medical marijuana, working on decriminalization & moving towards legalization for adult use.

But instead, legislators consistently try to restrict access & reduce the program's impact.

We're going to change that. #420day

— Nikki Fried (@nikkifried) April 20, 2021

Happy 420 From the NYS Assembly Majority Leader

— Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (@CPeoplesStokes) April 20, 2021

The time to end the prohibition of cannabis in PA has come.

Join me and Senator Laughlin on Tuesday, April 20th at 8 a.m. for a conversation with the Commonwealth on Adult Use.
Watch live on facebook or https://t.co/DwJPdUF4PE
Register here:https://t.co/APMtMdymQM #LegalizeIt pic.twitter.com/APQvlmiya7

— Senator Sharif Street (@SenSharifStreet) April 20, 2021

I am committed to making sure marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania is constructed around safety and social equity. This effort is historic and bipartisan, and the time is now. #420day pic.twitter.com/dE8t2xobTc

— Senator Dan Laughlin (@senatorlaughlin) April 20, 2021

For decades, April 20 has been an important anniversary for consumers of cannabis & it’s high time we celebrate how Democrats in the states have blazed ahead this year to decriminalize, legalize, & regulate marijuana with an important focus on racial justice! A thread!

— Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (@DLCC) April 20, 2021

Local officials

On this day, let’s resolve to (at least):

Decriminalize marijuana in Missouri and Kansas
Expunge records for all those convicted of past stand-alone marijuana offenses
Correct Missouri’s inequitable marijuana operation and farming licensing

— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) April 20, 2021

Former federal officials

Legalize marijuana. Release those incarcerated for it. Expunge the records. #Happy420

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) April 20, 2021

International lawmakers

El Día Mundial del Cannabis es una oportunidad para informarse y romper los estigmas alrededor de esta planta, sobre la que el Senado legisla para garantizar los derechos humanos.pic.twitter.com/eDFOFtKNQx

— Senado de México (@senadomexicano) April 20, 2021

Meanwhile, dozens of brands and organizations are also celebrating 4/20 with a variety of promotions, events and calls to action.

Schumer Worries Senate Marijuana Banking Vote Could Undermine Broader Legalization Push

Photo courtesy of Brian Shamblen.

The post How Politicians Are Celebrating The Marijuana Holiday 4/20 This Year appeared first on Marijuana Moment.

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