President Trump appears to be ready to move on marijuana
According to Representative Dana Rohrabacher of California, marijuana reform on the federal level is coming sooner rather than later. The lawmaker stated in an interview with Fox News that he has been talking with President Trump and that there could be movement on the issue as early as next month following the completion of the midterm elections.
Rohrabacher said that he has been “talking to people inside the White House,” as well as those close to Donald Trump. He has been “reassured that the president intends on keeping his campaign promise” of protecting local marijuana laws from federal interference. He added, “I would expect after the election we will sit down and we’ll start hammering out something that is specific and real.”
Trump has been supportive of marijuana bills in the past, specifically the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that was introduced by Senators Cory Gardner and Elizabeth Warren. The two are pushing for changes to the CSA that would protect states against interference by federal authorities if they choose to legalize marijuana. During his presidential campaign, he also voiced support of marijuana, stating that he knows individuals who have benefited from consuming the drug.
Exactly how soon some headway will be made remains to be seen. Rohrabacher added, “It could be as early as spring of 2019, but definitely in the next legislative session.”
It’s time for federal lawmakers to make a move. Recent polls have indicated that marijuana support among American citizens has climbed to 67%, up from the 60% seen only two years ago.
