GOP lawmakers resist federal marijuana legalization
Conservative Opposition Continues to Thwart Marijuana Legalization Efforts
While a majority of Congress supports the federal legalization of marijuana in some form, a small but vocal group of conservatives remain successful in thwarting recent marijuana bills.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) Leads the Charge
Sen. James Lankford, one of the leading voices against the legalization of marijuana on Capitol Hill, successfully garnered enough opposition to stop a bill in April that would have directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to research the use of marijuana on issues such as PTSD.
“I just look at the cultural effects and the legal outcomes of this and think, why would we as a nation say, ‘this is going so well we should do more of it’?” Lankford told Politico in an article published Monday. “We’ve opened up marijuana without any kind of regulation of any significance for what the product is and how it’s delivered.”
Lankford also organized a letter to the Drug Enforcement Administration, signed by 14 lawmakers, to reject the Health and Human Services recommendation to reschedule the drug’s classification. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX).
The senator’s motivation for his anti-marijuana stance comes from stories and anecdotes he hears from his constituents. Lankford said he cannot remember a time in his more than 20 years as a youth pastor when using marijuana made things better for a child and their family, and it made a situation worse many times.
Despite the vocal minority of lawmakers who decry making marijuana legal on the federal level, there is no concentrated or organized effort to stymie the legislation, according to nearly a dozen lawmakers in both chambers of Congress. There are also different levels of opposition to marijuana, with some legislators liking the drug for medical purposes but not recreational use.
Rep. Buddy Carter Supports Medicinal Use
Rep. Buddy Carter, a pharmacist who is in favor of marijuana research and medicinal use, said he does not know who circulated the rescheduling House petition but said his stance on marijuana is widely known.
“I am in favor of the medicinal use of the basic ingredients — but I’m not in favor of the recreational use of marijuana,” Carter said. “Most people know that and that’s probably why they circulated it to me.”
Sens. Steve Daines, Cynthia Lummis, Tom Cotton, and Ted Budd, along with Reps. Pete Sessions, Buddy Carter, and Andy Biggs, are also known for opposing marijuana legislation.
Despite the setbacks created by Republicans, supporters of marijuana legalization have seen some momentum on the Hill and in the White House this year. President Joe Biden signed a standalone bill that will expand medical research on marijuana earlier this year, and a bill to expand access to banking services for the marijuana industry passed the Senate Banking Committee last month. The bill was approved with bipartisan support.
A total of 23 states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults, along with Washington, D.C., Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Virginia and Minnesota are among the 23 states to have legalized the drug, according to Reuters.
What steps can be taken to address the concerns raised by conservatives about the lack of regulation and control in the marijuana industry?
A single conversation where someone has said marijuana has positively impacted their life. He believes that the potential harms and risks associated with marijuana use outweigh any potential benefits.
The conservative opposition to marijuana legalization is not limited to Sen. Lankford. There are several other conservative lawmakers who are actively working against the legalization efforts. They argue that marijuana is a gateway drug that can lead to the use of more dangerous substances. They also express concerns about the potential increase in impaired driving that could result from legalization.
One of the main arguments put forth by conservatives is the lack of regulation and control in the marijuana industry. They claim that the current system has allowed for the proliferation of marijuana products that are increasingly potent and potentially harmful. They believe that before any further steps towards legalization are taken, there needs to be strict regulation and oversight in place to ensure public safety.
Another area of concern for conservative opponents of marijuana legalization is the impact it could have on society. They fear that legalization could lead to an increase in addiction rates and a decrease in productivity. They argue that society should focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and discouraging the use of drugs, rather than normalizing and legalizing their use.
Despite the conservative opposition, public opinion on marijuana legalization has been shifting. A majority of Americans now support some form of marijuana legalization, whether it be for medical or recreational use. Many states have already taken steps to legalize marijuana, either through legislative actions or through voter initiatives.
The divide between conservative lawmakers and public opinion on this issue highlights the ongoing debate surrounding marijuana legalization. While there are valid concerns on both sides, it is important for policymakers to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks associated with legalization. Open and informed discussions are necessary to find common ground and develop policies that reflect the will of the people while prioritizing public safety.
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