Political Quotes

“Since 1996, when California voters made that State the first in the country to legalize medical marijuana, we have seen a revolution taking place in cannabis policy. This has been driven almost entirely by advocates and activists mounting successful campaigns to have voters in 33 States legalize medical marijuana. Starting in 2012 in Washington State, in Colorado, followed quickly by Oregon and Alaska, voters legalized adult use. Today, 10 States, and the District of Columbia, have legalized adult use. In all, 47 States have legalized some form of cannabis use. This year, voters in 6 more States will decide on future progress. Through this revolution, we have watched, across the country, shifting attitudes and moving forward. The Federal Government, sadly, is still trapped by the dead hand of Richard Nixon's ``war on drugs,'' declaring cannabis a Schedule I controlled substance--wait a minute-- despite objective evidence that it is not highly addictive and it does have therapeutic benefit. That is why we are making progress in this Congress to catch up with the rest of America, and the multi-billion dollar--$12 billion by some estimates this year--industry, which pays $2 billion to State and local governments, much of it, sadly, with $20 bills in duffel bags. Mr. Speaker, we passed the SAFE Banking Act on the floor of this House earlier in the Congress with 321 bipartisan votes.…”