LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada, will become one of the leading voices on issues related to cannabis on Capitol Hill.

Titus’ office announced Thursday that the lawmaker has been named co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.

She will succeed U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, who is retiring from Congress.

“In Nevada and the 23 other states that have decriminalized marijuana, the cannabis industry has demonstrated it is a responsible industry,” Titus said in a statement. “It is time for the federal government to recognize that.”

Blumenauer helped launch the Cannabis Caucus in 2017 to streamline cannabis reform at the federal level. Other members of the caucus come from states that have legalized recreational cannabis use.

Cannabis advocates said they expect Titus to be a staunch advocate for fair regulation.

“Congresswoman Titus has been on the leading edge of support for sensible cannabis policy reform for as long as she has been in office, including in her time as a state senator prior to her congressional service,” said Riana Durrett, director of the Cannabis Policy Institute at UNLV. “I know that she is very knowledgeable on this subject matter and greatly look forward to her leadership in this area.”

Twenty-four states have legalized recreational cannabis use, but it’s still considered a Schedule I drug under federal law.