Cannabis Business Owner Running for Congress Calls Federal Legalization Essential for Stability

Wanda James, a Denver-based cannabis pioneer and owner of Simply Pure dispensary, is taking her fight for the plant to the national stage by running for Congress. Challenging incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado’s primary, James is campaigning on a "Legalize NOW" platform. Her stance is refreshingly bold: she argues that incremental tweaks like rescheduling or banking bills are just band-aids that won't fix decades of systemic damage. Instead, she’s pushing for total removal from the Controlled Substances Act to unlock interstate commerce, end unfair tax burdens, and protect veterans' access.

This is a massive development for the community because it puts a real operator—someone who has actually dealt with bank closures and regulatory headaches—in a position to write the rules. For everyday tokers, having a representative who views cannabis as a tool for community reinvestment rather than just a corporate cash cow is vital. James’s focus on preventing corporate takeovers while supporting small, equity-focused businesses ensures the culture we love isn't steamrolled by multinational interests as we head toward federal legality.