EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Nancy Mace speaks on Biden’s pardon, marijuana reclassification and state reform bill

Congresswoman Nancy Mace is in the final stages of her first Republican re-election campaign in what she calls the Purple Swing district. Where many other congressmen up for re-election have set party lines on all issues, Rep. Mace stands out from some of her Republican peers when she introduces them Federal Reform Act (SRA), a cannabis legalization bill they believe is the best of her kind and she believes that she is the only one with a real chance of becoming law.

Mace is a unique Republican official in a political climate where it is sometimes dangerous to have opinions that differ from those of the party’s powerful rank and file. In an interview with The Fresh Toast, she described herself as “a Republican who’s very pro-babies, guns, gay and pot.” She recently won her elementary school with an 8 point, where she explained that finding common ground in problems is a key to her success.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) / Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

This commonality is something that Rep. Mace recently got some national media attention when she, a Republican, praised President Biden, a Democrat, for pardoning those federally convicted of simple marijuana possession, like us reported in October. Making positive remarks about the leading member of an opposing party isn’t as commonplace as it used to be, but it’s this bipartisan spirit and need to work together that Rep. Mace sees as key to the States Reforms Act’s potential success .

Referring to Biden’s recent pardoning statement for nonviolent marijuana offenders convicted of simple possession, Mace told us, “There’s more work to be done, but it’s a good first step in the right direction, and I think we all up.” both sides must be supported.”

Mace expressed that the presidential pardons are a “nod to federalism,” since these pardons free inmates at the federal level and encourage, but do not force, individual states to do the same. This distinction of creating legislation but allowing states the freedom to shape their own individual marijuana policies that they believe will work best for their constituents is essential to ensure bipartisan support for such a cannabis law, according to Mace to find.

“If you inject federalism and states’ rights on this particular issue, that’s where we can find the greatest consensus on either side of the aisle,” Mace said. “Because there’s no way you can do this and get it done if you don’t have Republicans and Democrats alike on board.”

Now that Biden has issued these pardons, the big question is what will happen next at the federal level with marijuana classification and scheduling. Like the rest of America, Mace is waiting for these next steps and written statements. “What we’re hearing is he can’t reschedule the date, but it will be a reschedule,” she said, “and then what’s the role of Congress?”

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Once more is known about this expected cannabis “shift,” Mace and other lawmakers can begin to know how the law and legalization efforts in general can move forward. Mace is optimistic that this announcement and further progress can be made by the end of the year. “Whatever they decide, whether it’s 30 days or 60 days now – we’re hearing they want to do it before the end of the year – when we get the details and the fine print of the executive order and how far along it goes on the rescheduling side of what role the congress will play in the next steps.”

Photo by Baris-Ozer/Getty Images

When it comes to the role of Congress, a key element of the SRA that she points to is its bipartisan spirit, and she sees that as critical if a marijuana law hopes to become law. “There are other bills that cannot pass both chambers, that cannot get bipartisan support. Where taxes might be too high or lack a regulatory framework.” One of those “other bills” like we have reportedis a bill authored by Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer and Senator Cory Booker called the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.

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While Washington is often seen as more divided and polarized than ever, Mace still believes it’s possible to reach across party lines to pass important legislation. She acknowledged that regardless of the outcome of the midterm elections, she will likely need at least 10 Republicans to vote on this bill. According to Mace, it’s about finding Republicans who get it and “who are the 10 that can make this happen.”

In our conversation, she pointed to herself as an example of how a bill can find the support it needs on both sides of the aisle and become law. “You have to be able to work with people,” she said. “I mean, I’m a Republican from South Carolina introducing bipartisan legislation that is sane, responsible, fair and safe.”

When asked if she thought anti-legalization, or anti-cannabis in general, would ultimately make politicians less electable in today’s world, she said, “The longer we wait to do anything at the federal and state levels, who prolong this issue, the worse it gets. The less support these elected officials will have.”

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She also mentioned a growing group of voters who are incredibly passionate about the issue. She can even see people voting on this issue, just as some groups can vote on other important issues like gun control and abortion, pulling voters to one side and pushing them to the election forcefully. “There are coalitions that vote on very specific issues,” she said. “And I believe that this is a growing coalition of people who may not have been as vocal in the past few years, but are getting louder because the frustration is palpable.”

Congresswoman Mace looks forward to next steps, including a hearing with the Oversight Committee. This bipartisan hearing is scheduled to take place in November after the election.