As we have covered a lot, Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been one of the foremost leaders on marijuana law reform at the federal level. The Portland, Oregon, representative has been helpful to the cannabis law reform cause at all levels of government and he is continually working to expand the number of elected officials joining his support for practical improvements of federal cannabis law.

Blumenauer has even reached across the political aisle and divide bringing in Republicans and conservatives to rally around a common cause. Bringing in Oregon’s United States Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley show his commitment to Oregon voters, the marijuana legalization movement and continues to demonstrate how Oregon is helping lead the way. From Congressman Blumenauer’s Facebook page:

Joined Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden this morning for a press conference on the need for legal marijuana businesses to have access to banking services. There is absolutely no justification for forcing thousands of legal marijuana business here in Oregon and across the United States to do their business on an all cash basis. Not only does this stifle the ability of people to actually grow their businesses, this is a serious public safety issue that will only continue as more states reform their laws. Senators Merkley, Wyden and I support legislation that will fix this problem. Congress must take action and pass the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act.

The Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act is a common sense proposal that should be supported by every elected official and citizen, regardless of how they feel about marijuana or marijuana legalization. Preventing businesses from accessing banking services forces businesses to keep large amounts of cash, increasing the likelihood of robberies. Thus, even if you don’t support marijuana legalization, surely you support safer neighborhoods. Additionally, all-cash businesses can more easily hide profits. Thus, even if you don’t support putting an end to cannabis prohibition, surely you support those businesses paying taxes.

Each and every day, support for cannabis legalization increases and we will only see more and more politicians support sensible reforms like the Marijuana Businesses Access to Banking Act. It is good to know that elected officials like Congressman Blumenauer are working hard for our cause and Oregonians should be proud that the Beaver State is a true trailblazer on cannabis law, helping lead the rest of the nation away from Reefer Madness into an era of cannabis sanity.

UPDATE: From Senator Jeff Merkley’s Facebook page:

Anthony Johnson

Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.