6 Senators Blocking Legal Marijuana for 328,000,000 Americans

Most Americans want to legalize recreational and / or medical marijuana. Scientific research shows its benefits. It has proven to be a viable business and states with decriminalized cannabis enjoy incredible revenues. Put simply, legalized marijuana is a formidable source of income that is recognized by most Americans and which really helps people’s health.

Both science and history have proven the effectiveness of cannabis, yet several U.S. Senators will not vote to legalize marijuana at the federal level and / or pass legislation that allows banks to work with cannabis companies. Why? It makes no sense. A mystery indeed. Solving a puzzle always starts with questions. Let’s start with the following:

Photo by Harold Mendoza via Unsplash

Who will benefit from keeping marijuana as a List 1 drug? Big Pharma is certainly one of them. After all, who needs their expensive addictive opioids when marijuana can relieve pain and relieve debilitating anxiety?

Let’s pull this thread a little and ask more questions.

Who would Big Pharma want to talk to to protect their interests? Lo and behold, it is the people who make the law. And why do people who make laws listen to Big Pharma and not the people who represent them? Are they paid? And IF they’re paid, why are legislators elected and kept in office?

That is a question that we have to answer.

To answer this question, we investigate the usual suspects who deny income and potential jobs to those they represent.

Photo by Flickr user Gage Skidmore

Let’s look at Ted Cruz (R-TX) who said, “I think it is an issue where reasonable people may disagree, and so every state should pass laws that reflect the values ​​of its citizens.” Hm. If he really thinks that states should be able to decide for themselves, why won’t the 64% approval make him choose to decriminalize cannabis? Perhaps the reason Ted Cruz is a staunch opponent of marijuana legalization is his plans to run for president in 2024. According to The Texas Politics Project at UT Austin, 72% of the most conservative Republicans oppose all marijuana use. Basically, Ted Cruz has to go to the base to start his bid for president. It’s also worth considering this fact: Senator Cruz received $ 1,897,718 during the 2020 election cycle.

RELATED: Why Voting for Cannabis Isn’t Always the Same as Cannabis Legislation

On the other hand, Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will not run for president in 2024. However, Sen Graham does not endorse the legalization of the cannabis ban at the federal level, nor will he assist cannabis companies to use banks. Senator Graham has to answer to the Republican grassroots, which, like Texas, are strongly against the decriminalization of cannabis. Even more surprising, though, Senator Graham received $ 2,909.00 from the healthcare industry during the 2020 election[i]. While the “health industry” sounds innocuous, it actually includes big pharma. In other words, Senator Graham will not bite the hand that feeds him – at the expense of the American’s well-being.

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)stated the following in December 2019: I remain firmly against legalization of marijuana at the federal level and against legalization in the state of Idaho. I also do not support the SAFE Banking Act passed in the House of Representatives. This bill would offer banking services to a legitimate cannabis company. Without banking services, legal cannabis is less accessible to people who need it. Why should Senator Crapo restrict people’s access to legal cannabis? Is it because he received $ 362,241 from big drug companies in 2020? [1] Is it because he has political ambitions in 2024? Maybe. However, he is the senior member of the Finance Committee and a member of the Health Subcommittee.

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Steve Hawkins, executive director of the DC-based Marijuana Policy Project, said in a recent interview that cannabis banking reform is critical to giving small businesses – including women and minority-owned companies – access to capital that Cannabis companies need them to run and grow.

Why Are Small Businesses Prevented From Thriving? It makes no sense. Who Will Benefit From Thriving Small Businesses? Not local business owners. Not our neighbors. Not the economy. Certainly not normal people. And yet, as we know, the majority of ordinary people support the legalization of cannabis.

Photo by Nathan Griffith / Getty Images

Who are the other politicians who fail miserably in representing the needs of the people? There are some, and just like Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars, they’re shrouded in mystery. Fortunately for us, the information age sheds light on these nefarious characters.

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) claims to be moderate, but has failed to stand up for state rights over marijuana, even after her own voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2016.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) says he supports medical marijuana, but only if it is done through the FDA process (which is not possible). Despite his opposition, Florida voters approved a medical marijuana initiative in 2016, showing Rubio is not keeping up with his voters.

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) doesn’t even claim to endorse medical marijuana, saying it is “detrimental to Oklahoma’s social fabric”.

Do these senators have ties to industries and sectors that do not serve your interests? Find out. Open Secrets and Just Facts are two of the organizations that will help you help yourself. With these instruments, the time for cannabis legalization at the federal level is in sight. The House of Representatives has already passed the SAFE Banking Act. It is up to us to target the remaining senators who don’t listen to us and answer the calls of big money and narcissistic political ambition.

Go straight ahead. Ask questions and you’ll find out who got it Your back.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.