Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Representative from Oregon’s 3rd district, visited the University of Oregon Friday and participated in the all-day symposium, A Step Forward: Creating a Just Drug Policy for the United States.

The symposium — held at the William Knight Law School — focused on U.S. drug policy, an issue in which many, including Blumenauer, have been deeply focused on. Congressman Blumenauer discussed his report titled “The Path Forward: Rethinking Federal Policy on Marijuana.”

Blumenauer participated in major political movements since his youth. His passion was sparked in the early ‘70s when he participated in the student movement of lowering the voting age, as well as being one of the original voters to decriminalize marijuana.

In 1973, Oregon became the first state in which a legislature passed to minimize the penalty for possession of marijuana to something equivalent to that of a traffic ticket. Blumenauer began his speech by discussing how the events of 1973 led towards further decriminalization and gave states a more thoughtful approach to drug regulation.

As the talk progressed, he discussed important factors concerning to the people. He spoke on the issue of legalization and taxation.

“In the past two-three years we’ve seen a majority of the American public want marijuana legalized,” Blumenauer said.

He also emphasized the importance of medical marijuana. According to his reports, two-thirds of states that have medical marijuana, were initiated by the people.

“At a minimum, we need to make sure we enable states, so they can do what they want without interference of the federal government,” he said.

Additionally, Rep. Bulmenauer focused on the importance that the federal government eliminates the research prohibition on marijuana. He said this would allow for “thoughtful research,” which would ultimately allow the U.S. to find out the limits and opportunities that come from the drug.

“The Federal Government has been frozen in time since 1970,” he said. “I feel that this is what we need on Capital Hill to give a reality check of where we really are, and the Path Forward: Rethinking federal policy on marijuana, is my best effort.”

Since 1973, the U.S. has come a long way in decriminalizing marijuana, with 18 states permitting medical marijuana, and two which have legalized recreational use since last November.

“We are trying to create a framework which will provoke honest and thoughtful conversation about marijuana, that the American people are more than ready to have,” he said.