WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced that he and his Democratic Co-Chairs of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus selected Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) to fill the Caucus’ vacant Republican Co-Chair position.

“On behalf of Representatives Blumenauer and Lee, and myself, I am pleased to welcome Representative Brian Mast as my fellow Republican Co-Chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus,” said Joyce. “Don Young left behind a legacy of bipartisanship and goodwill, and it is in that spirit we have selected Brian to continue his work. An ardent supporter of states’ rights and a true conservative, Brian has established a reputation of good faith and leadership on strategic and sensible cannabis reform.”

“Not only is Brian a longtime proponent of remedying the unjust consequences of our nation’s eighty-year war on cannabis, but as a representative of a medically-legal state, he understands the complexities of both legal and non-legal markets and the necessity for federal reforms that work with – not against – individual states’ needs,” Joyce continued. “Importantly, he knows all too-well the sacrifices America’s veterans have made and is committed to ensuring their needs are included in both comprehensive and individual reform efforts moving forward.”

“Brian serves in Congress as he did on the battlefield, without regard for personal gain or personal sacrifice,” said Joyce. “Now in his third term, he knows the value of putting in hard work behind the scenes to move an issue like this forward and improve the lives of those in his community and millions across the country. Brian is distinctively qualified to carry on the torch of Don’s leadership. I am pleased to welcome him as my fellow Republican Co-Chair and look forward to continuing the Caucus’ bipartisan work together.”

“I am pleased to welcome my colleague Representative Mast as co-chair of the Cannabis Caucus,” said Blumenauer. “This Congress is poised to advance comprehensive reform for the cannabis industry.  Representative Mast brings a valuable perspective in the areas of improving veteran care and making the federal government a partner, not barrier to, cannabis research and industry. I look forward to working with him.”

“I am pleased to welcome Congressman Brian Mast as the newest co-chair of the Cannabis Caucus, and look forward to working together to advance commonsense, bipartisan cannabis reform,” said Lee. “His years of advocacy for veterans and experience representing a medically legal state will provide valuable insight. Together, I am confident we can build a broad coalition of support in Congress and finally enact equitable, modern-day federal cannabis policy.”

“The Constitution never says ‘cannabis,’ but it does say that unenumerated powers lie with the states. Federal cannabis policy should be based on that Constitutional principle, and I’m grateful to Dave for all he’s done to fight for that in Congress,” Mast said. “While I will never be able to fill the enormous shoes of my friend Don Young, I look forward to taking up the mantle as co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.” 

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