Top Congressional Republican Wants To Know If Marijuana Should Be Legal

The Daily Caller ^ | March 14, 2015 | Jonah Bennett

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The recent signing of a medical marijuana bill by GOP Sens. Rand Paul and Dean Heller hasn’t gone unnoticed. Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise has introduced a poll on his website, asking people to vote on whether marijuana should be legalized on the federal level.

Scalise in the past has voted down marijuana reform legislation, Marijuana.com reports. On May 30, 2014, Scalise voted against an amendment in the House to prevent the Department of Justice from using funds from its budget to crack down on states that have enacted medical marijuana programs. Later, in July, Scalise voted against legislation to prohibit states from penalizing banks that offer financial services to marijuana companies.

Marijuana advocates see the poll as a possible sign that Scalise may be considering switching his position. Poll results as of late have shown that the country is increasingly moving toward pro-marijuana attitudes. The General Social Survey in particular found that 52 percent of Americans support marijuana legalization. Only 42 percent remain opposed. (RELATED: Survey: Majority Of Americans Support Legal Marijuana)

“This is a great sign because we know that whenever voters are asked their position on marijuana laws, the result always comes out to be strongly pro-legalization,” Tom Angell, chairman of the Marijuana Majority, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “As more politicians begin to engage with their constituents on this topic, they will see how much public support there is for reform and it’ll be much more likely they’ll feel emboldened to take action to upgrade outdated marijuana prohibition policies.”

However, Scalise’s office made it clear that the poll isn’t any indication that the Majority Whip is changing his position.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Nanny State PING!

[nascarnation]

I like Cruz’s position.
Make it a state level decision.

[JRandomFreeper]

What part of the Constitution gives the congress authority to regulate ANY drug?

That has always rightfully been a State function under their police powers.

/johnny

[PapaNew]

None of the freaking feds business. Marijuana and most of the other things the feds are meddling with are EXCLUSIVELY the states’ issues.

[Repeal The 17th]

“...asking people to vote on whether marijuana should be legalized on the federal level...”
-
A better question to ask would be:
“What is the federal authority to make marijuana illegal?”

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

If it harms America by today’s thinking of course it should be legal right along with sodomy, abortion, prostitution, government freebies, politicians making a fortune, buying votes, pornography, voting fraud and Mexican takeover.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I'm just a Country Bumpkin, but even *I* can read and understand that in SPITE of my Publik Edjumakashun! Huh-Yuck!

[gundog]

Or you could fight Obamacare and amnesty. Just a suggestion.

[Ken H]

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this title relating to marihuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State law relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, laboratory testing, or delivery of medical marihuana.

--Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act.

[goat granny]

I am against it cause we would have not only drunk drivers but stones ones behind the wheel...

[DBrow]

The USA has to remember that we jammed laws through the UN making cannabis illegal in all UN member states.

Do we all think that if we get “legal” maryjane in more and more states or even nationally, the UN will never sanction the United States? That other member states won’t ever use that for leverage?

Imagine if UN sanctions USA at some critical point- what a surprise, suddenly being an international scofflaw!

[JRandomFreeper]

In other words, you want what you want, and to hell with keeping the federal government in it's constitutional box? Is that what you are saying?

Do you think getting rid of federal laws is all that is keeping people from getting stoned and behind the wheel?

/johnny

[RginTN]

the most important issue...legalizing marijuana. Meanwhile obama is legislating, the IRS is targeting Conservatives, the DOJ is trying to nationalize local police and the govt is spending trillions. Nice priorities.

[gundog]

We already does.

[JRandomFreeper]

You can't uphold the law by breaking the law.

The federal government has no remit to regulate much of what it does today, including drugs. The feds are breaking the law.

/johnny

[Amendment10]

"What part of the Constitution gives the congress authority to regulate ANY drug?"

When commerce is sold across state borders, the Commerce Clause (1.8.3) gives corrupt Congress the constitutional authority to stick its big nose into things.

But maybe the feds wouldn’t have such a deservedly bad reputation if state lawmakers hadn’t ratified the ill-conceived 17th Amendment, foolishly giving up the voices of the state legislatures in Congress by doing so. The states really need to repeal that amendment.

[Wolfie]

As in all matters, screw the UN.

[JRandomFreeper]

Much of the MJ crop doesn't have to be sold across state lines, and isn't. But the feds dig in anyway. They need put back in the constitutional box they came in. Uphold the 10th and get rid of the 17th would be a good start.

And some now disagree that the commerce clause allows what you are saying.

/johnny

[Ken H]

You are worried about what UN thinks??? LOL!!

Tell me that was '/s'. Please.