Lawmakers Urge Bipartisan Push on Marijuana Reform

A Democratic congresswoman and a former Trump campaign aide both called for cooperation on federal cannabis policy after Democrats regained control of Congress.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Lawmakers Urge Bipartisan Push on Marijuana Reform

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Should the federal government legalize marijuana nationwide?

Democrats regained majority control of the Senate and House in Tuesday's midterm elections, and Rep. Dina Titus and Roger Stone have both urged bipartisan action on federal marijuana reform. The Trump administration has moved forward with transferring marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Why it matters

The House under Democratic control previously passed bills to federally legalize marijuana, most recently in 2022, and the shift in congressional control could revive those efforts. Stone has said he would advise Trump to sign marijuana legislation that the Democratic Congress sends him.

The House last passed a bill to federally legalize marijuana in 2022, and Democrats regained majority control of the Senate and House in the 2026 midterms. Whether a new reform bill will be introduced in the 120th Congress has not been announced.

The players

Dina Titus

Democratic U.S. Representative from Nevada who co-chairs the Congressional Cannabis Caucus and advocates for federal drug policy reform.

Roger Stone

Longtime Republican political operative who has served as a senior campaign aide to three Republican presidents, including Donald Trump.

Donald Trump

Current President of the United States, whose administration has moved to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

James Talarico

Democratic U.S. Senator-elect from Texas who won his seat in the 2026 midterm elections.

The details

Rep. Dina Titus, who co-chairs the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said she looks forward to working across the aisle on drug policy in the 120th Congress. Roger Stone, a senior campaign aide to three Republican presidents including Trump, wrote an op-ed last year urging Trump to reschedule cannabis.

2022: The House last passed a bill to federally legalize marijuana.
2024: Trump endorsed a state-level marijuana legalization initiative on Florida's ballot.
2025: Stone wrote an op-ed urging Trump to reschedule cannabis.
November 4, 2026: Midterm elections returned Democratic majorities to the Senate and House.
120th Congress: Titus plans to work across the aisle on drug policy.

Legislative Context

The Trump administration's transfer of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act is an administrative step, while the House's prior passage of federal legalization bills in 2022 represents a legislative path. Renewed congressional focus would pursue that legislative route beyond rescheduling.

Federal legalization would change how marijuana is regulated nationwide, though any bill would still need to pass both chambers and be signed into law. Current rules on possession and sale would remain in effect unless and until Congress acts.

The takeaway

Shifts in congressional control can quickly revive stalled policy debates, and marijuana reform is one area where bipartisan interest may matter as much as partisan majorities. Readers should watch for whether a concrete bill is introduced in the 120th Congress.