Here are the three crucial areas we could see marijuana reform under Trump

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April 19, 2017 8:56 PM

Congressman Earl Blumenauer said "we will ultimately be successful" working with the Trump administration on marijuana reform

It's a pivotal time for marijuana.

Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer is bullish on marijuana.

"This is a pivotal time," Blumenauer, a Democrat, said in a call with reporters on Wednesday. "The long term is clear. I've stated and I strongly believe in five years every state will be able to treat marijuana like it treats alcohol."

Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, though Oregon is one of the eight states that have legalized it and allowed commercial sale.

Blumenauer has championed the emerging industry in Washington and introduced bipartisan legislation to tax and regulate marijuana at the federal level, remove obstacles to research, and ensure safe access for medical patients.

He says that he sees three main areas for Congressional action on marijuana reform, though he notes that it's less likely to come as "standalone" legislation, but would rather be tacked on to other larger legislative packages:

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Blumenauer said that these three provisions, which have "overwhelming" bipartisan support, are highly likely to occur, specifically through the Senate Finance Committee and the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Marijuana reform, according to Blumenauer, is likely to "flow the easiest" in the Finance Committee. One of the most marijuana-friendly lawmakers in Congress, Oregon senator Ron Wyden, is a a top-ranking member of the committee.

Trump's administration, however, hasn't been friendly to marijuana reform as of yet. The Jeff Sessions-led Justice Department has hinted at cracking down on state-legal marijuana businesses. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called marijuana a "gateway drug" on Tuesday and said that marijuana possession charges will be "

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