This week, the Cannabis Unity Coalition brought its message directly to federal lawmakers during the Cannabis Unity Week of Action, which concluded yesterday in Washington, D.C. The event, organized by the Last Prisoner Project, took place April 29–May 1, 2025, bringing renewed attention to federal cannabis descheduling legislation and the thousands still incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.
The timing of this advocacy push holds particular significance for New York’s cannabis community, coming shortly after the state celebrated hitting $1 billion in legal sales. The striking contrast between thriving state markets and ongoing federal prohibition—where cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I substance alongside heroin—was a central theme throughout the three-day event.
On Tuesday, April 29, as Congress returned from its two-week spring recess, advocates gathered on Capitol Hill demanding freedom for those incarcerated and calling for the federal government to reschedule, deschedule, or legalize cannabis. The Cannabis Unity Coalition held a “Decriminalize Now” Action Event that included a Press Conference on Capitol Hill grounds with lawmakers present, demonstrating growing bipartisan momentum for comprehensive cannabis reform.
The Coalition’s efforts focused on highlighting that while 24 states and D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis sales and the vast majority of the U.S. population now lives in states with some form of legal cannabis, thousands remain behind bars for activities that are now legitimate businesses in most states.
For those unable to attend in person, virtual participation was encouraged, with the coalition providing resources for contacting elected officials through their website.
Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, a fundamental injustice remains for individuals whose conviction is no longer a crime. The organization works to repair these harms through legal intervention, constituent support, direct advocacy, and policy change. Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to learn more.
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The Cannabis Unity Week of Action represents a critical moment in the ongoing effort to reform federal cannabis laws. With public support for legalization at an all-time high and state markets demonstrating viable regulatory frameworks, advocacy events like this underscore the growing consensus that federal policy must evolve to address both criminal justice reform and economic opportunity. As the next congressional session approaches, organizers plan to build on this momentum with sustained outreach to lawmakers from both parties.
