Posted on 12/31/2022 11:50:25 AM PST by RandFan
"Democrats controlled the House, Senate, and White House and still couldn't get cannabis reform bills passed," Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.) complained on Twitter last week. "I would go much further and end the federal war on a plant entirely, but at LEAST let legal business operate as a legal business."
Paul was alluding to the the SAFE Banking Act, which would make it easier for state-licensed marijuana businesses to access financial services by removing the threat of civil, criminal, and regulatory penalties against banks that serve them. The bill has broad, bipartisan support because it would simultaneously dial back the war on drugs, defend federalism by reducing interference with state marijuana laws, help small businesses, and protect public safety by addressing the robbery threat those businesses face when they are forced to rely heavily on cash. But while the House has approved the SAFE Banking Act more than half a dozen times, it has never gotten a vote in the Senate.
Much of the blame for that lies with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.), who until recently insisted that his own marijuana bill, which would repeal the federal ban, take priority over less ambitious reforms. Schumer's take on that situation is notably different from Paul's. "We came close, but we didn't make it," Schumer said last week, referring to his efforts to "decriminalize marijuana."
In reality, Schumer's 296-page bill, which was full of needlessly contentious provisions, did not come remotely close to passing, and no one seriously thought it would. Schumer and Sen. Cory Booker (D–N.J.) introduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act in July, a year after circulating a discussion draft. It never attracted more than the four original co-sponsors (all Democrats), was never considered by a committee, and never got any kind of vote.
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
Legalizing drugs will not work, unless you want to destroy America!
But the Taxman would be happy...
I’ll drink to that.
Oh - yeah, right.
More than two or three ways to comprehend and to answer that question...
There are far more serious issues facing this country than legalizing marijuana. I never smoked anything, nor ever felt the need to do any drugs of any kind, alcohol included, to make it through to the age of 75. I’d rather my country be made whole again. Legalizing marijuana isn’t going to do that.
Has RP made ANY effort to see what the result of legalized dope has been?
If he has then he is not being honest in still supporting decriminalization.
This is spot on. It’s legal for recreational purposes in many states, but illegal per federal law. So dispensaries are forced to operate under the threat of confiscation. Let them operate legally and remove the ambiguity - the prices are moving towards commodification anyway. States and localities can still make their own dry county and town laws, just get the feds out of the business. The rule of law - just law - is a good and moral thing.
Now they should give Republicans the same chance.
I've been watching the new Paramount+ series "Tulsa King" with Sylvester Stallone. After doing 25 years in prison, having taken a dive for someone else in the "family", he's sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma to set up "business." The first place he heads is to a marijuana shop, and makes an offer to the shop owner to protect his assets from the Feds...an offer the shop owner can't refuse. The show's not too bad. I like Stallone, so I watch it. I probably wouldn't have given it my time if he hadn't had the starring role.
the dems have no reason to even want legalization of a plant like cannabis.
How does it benefit them ?
The philosophy of our LIEberal, Socialist, Marxist, Communist, Fascist “Leaders,” who are intent on destroying America, the most magnificent country ever devised by man, is “When your standards are too high, lower your standards!”
Legalizing drugs has not ended well for ANY locality or state that has done so!
I give you San FRancisco!
I give you Colorado, WDC and all the other states that have “legalized” marijuana! I do not think it is going well for them!
I give you our Southern border!
I rest my case!
The Feds don’t need to legalize it, but if the Feds are going to allow businesses to sell pot, they need to make it legal for the businesses to use the banking system. Right now it’s nearly a 100% cash business and the gangstas target the businesses.
Also, there are more restrictions on pot than on fentanyl or opium, common sense would dictate reforms to Fed. drug policy. Again, don’t need the Feds to legalize it, but since the Feds are allowing businesses to sell pot hand over fist to any adult who walks in the door, some consistency in Fed policies would be nice.
Supposedly, increased tax revenues.
As I understand it ,Rand Paul tends to be libertarian. A libertarian viewpoint would not discuss the effects of legalizing marijuana.
The existing Cartels might want some input into possible legislation.
If pot is legal, distribution and cultivation too, that’s a lot of lost income for them.
I wouldn’t accuse politicians of accepting bribes or anything, but it’s possible…
But with legalization, they lose the potential control over gun owners.
Rand was overdue. Every once in a while he says something truly goofy. Honestly, a Repub US Senator should not be grousing that the rats didn’t legalize pot on federal level.
Out comes the Liberaltarian...
Squandered opportunity.
Up in smoke.
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