CarolKing
Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
POT PETITION TO DONALD TRUMP: LEAVE COLORADO, LEGAL STATES ALONE
Also anxious are members of the marijuana industry, who worry that Trump's personal antipathy toward cannabis could inspire him to try to shut down recreational marijuana businesses in Colorado and other states where they're legal — a roster that grew substantially on election day.
With that in mind, Marijuana Majority chairman and founder Tom Angell has launched a petition titled "President-Elect Trump: Respect State Marijuana Laws."
The complete text from the petition is below, but an excerpt reads, "A clear majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana, and we're counting on you to respect the people's will and make good on your word."
Why is such an effort necessary? Negative comments Trump made during the campaign in regard to Colorado's recreational pot laws offer an explanation.
In August 2015, for instance, Trump engaged in the following exchange with Fox News's Sean Hannity:
Hannity: "Colorado, marijuana. Good or bad experiment?"
Trump: "I say it's bad. Medical marijuana is another thing, but I think it's bad. And I feel strongly about that."
Then, this past March, he said the following in a conversation with MSNBC's Chris Matthews: "I think that as far as drug legalization, we talk about marijuana, and in terms of medical, I think I am basically for that. I've heard some wonderful things in terms of medical. I'm watching Colorado very carefully to see what's happening out there. I'm getting some very negative reports, I'm getting some okay reports. But I'm getting some very negative reports coming out of Colorado as to what's happening, so we'll see what happens."
Despite his misgivings, however, Trump has suggested that he won't interfere with the rights of Colorado or other places that have legalized recreational marijuana. In three videos below, he can be heard making the following statements:
“And then I really believe you should leave it up to the states. It should be a state situation…. In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state by state.”
“I think it’s up to the states. I’m a states person. I think it should be up to the states, absolutely.”
“If they vote for it, they vote for it."
President-Elect Trump: Respect State Marijuana Laws
Mister President-Elect:
During your presidential campaign you repeatedly pledged that if elected you would ensure the federal government respect the right of states to enact their own marijuana policies, including those allowing medical cannabis and recreational use.
As marijuana law reform supporters, we are petitioning to encourage you to uphold these promises, including by filling your Cabinet with officials who will follow through on what you said on the campaign trail. This especially includes appointing Justice Department and DEA leaders who will respect state laws.
Please also include statutory changes to marijuana laws in your legislative agenda for the 115th Congress. A growing number of lawmakers in both the House and Senate have shown willingness to scale back prohibition and, with your leadership, it is likely that far-reaching reforms can be enacted.
A clear majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana, and we're counting on you to respect the people's will and make good on your word.
Additional images and videos below.
File photo illustration
Also anxious are members of the marijuana industry, who worry that Trump's personal antipathy toward cannabis could inspire him to try to shut down recreational marijuana businesses in Colorado and other states where they're legal — a roster that grew substantially on election day.
With that in mind, Marijuana Majority chairman and founder Tom Angell has launched a petition titled "President-Elect Trump: Respect State Marijuana Laws."
The complete text from the petition is below, but an excerpt reads, "A clear majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana, and we're counting on you to respect the people's will and make good on your word."
Why is such an effort necessary? Negative comments Trump made during the campaign in regard to Colorado's recreational pot laws offer an explanation.
In August 2015, for instance, Trump engaged in the following exchange with Fox News's Sean Hannity:
Hannity: "Colorado, marijuana. Good or bad experiment?"
Trump: "I say it's bad. Medical marijuana is another thing, but I think it's bad. And I feel strongly about that."
Then, this past March, he said the following in a conversation with MSNBC's Chris Matthews: "I think that as far as drug legalization, we talk about marijuana, and in terms of medical, I think I am basically for that. I've heard some wonderful things in terms of medical. I'm watching Colorado very carefully to see what's happening out there. I'm getting some very negative reports, I'm getting some okay reports. But I'm getting some very negative reports coming out of Colorado as to what's happening, so we'll see what happens."
Despite his misgivings, however, Trump has suggested that he won't interfere with the rights of Colorado or other places that have legalized recreational marijuana. In three videos below, he can be heard making the following statements:
“And then I really believe you should leave it up to the states. It should be a state situation…. In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state by state.”
“I think it’s up to the states. I’m a states person. I think it should be up to the states, absolutely.”
“If they vote for it, they vote for it."
President-Elect Trump: Respect State Marijuana Laws
Mister President-Elect:
During your presidential campaign you repeatedly pledged that if elected you would ensure the federal government respect the right of states to enact their own marijuana policies, including those allowing medical cannabis and recreational use.
As marijuana law reform supporters, we are petitioning to encourage you to uphold these promises, including by filling your Cabinet with officials who will follow through on what you said on the campaign trail. This especially includes appointing Justice Department and DEA leaders who will respect state laws.
Please also include statutory changes to marijuana laws in your legislative agenda for the 115th Congress. A growing number of lawmakers in both the House and Senate have shown willingness to scale back prohibition and, with your leadership, it is likely that far-reaching reforms can be enacted.
A clear majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana, and we're counting on you to respect the people's will and make good on your word.
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