Tom Emmer and Marijuana – The Fresh Toast

The US House of Representatives appears to be having difficulty finding a speaker. Since Matt Gaetz (R-FL) led a revolt against Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), there has been some disorientation in Congress and business has come to a standstill. With two wars, an impending vote on state treasury maintenance and a long list of other measures, the country is waiting for a sign that things are improving. There now seems to be a favorite among the nine candidates. So what is Tom Emmer’s stance on marijuana?

About 90% of the country supports some form of legal marijuana and the Senate is awaiting a vote on SAFER Banking to fix some problems with the cannabis industry. Currently, 23 states have unrestricted recreational marijuana and 40 have medical marijuana. Recreational marijuana exists in Tom Emmer’s (R-MN) home state of Minnesota.

RELATED: Is the Catholic Church adjusting its marijuana stance?

In Minnesota, cannabis use and possession is now legal for adults 21 and older. This makes Minnesota the 23rd state in the country to legalize cannabis for recreational use. The first dispensary to sell recreational marijuana has now opened in Red Lake Nation in northern Minnesota.

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Emmer was a little unclear in his attitude. He voted yes on the Medical Marijuana Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, but voted no on the Marijuana Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which he believes is a non-bipartisan bill.

The good news is that he voted for SAFE Banking several times and was even a co-sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.

Emmer publicly stated on WJON that marijuana should be a state issue at this time because the federal government does not have a firm position. As speaker, Emmer would be able to move the federal government on marijuana issues.

RELATED: Exclusive: No. 3 Senate Talks on SAFER Banking

As an example of his innovative thinking and ability to work with non-traditional concepts, Open Secrets noted that Emmer, a major crypto booster, received $95,466 from individuals and PACs with affiliates in his re-election campaign account in the last election cycle has. That’s more money from the crypto industry than any other member of the House of Representatives except House Financial Services Chairman Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

Based on his actions and voices, Emmer appears to be open to new ideas, understands popular sentiment, and is not as staunchly anti-marijuana as Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and others.