President-Elect Trump has nominated MAGA bomb thrower however marijuana-friendly Matt Gaetz to move the Justice Division, and extra.
Former US Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Is that this the following US lawyer normal?
Marijuana Coverage
Trump’s Lawyer Normal Decide is Good on Pot Coverage, However… Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who President-Elect Trump has nominated to be the following US lawyer normal, is the uncommon Republican who has a historical past of supporting marijuana regulation reform. He voted for a Democratic marijuana legalization invoice in 2022 and has twice voted for marijuana banking entry payments. He joined Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in opposing this yr’s failed marijuana legalization initiative, however argued that it was as a result of he thought legalization ought to come via the legislature.
His nomination led Marijuana Second to put in writing that it “stands out as some of the constructive indicators that the state-level hashish market is not going to be impeded beneath his administration. And it additionally bodes properly for the continuing Biden administration-led marijuana rescheduling effort that Trump has endorsed.”
The publication additionally cited David Culver, senior vp for public affairs, on the US Hashish Council (USCC) as saying that Gaetz “is among the most pro-cannabis Republicans on Capitol Hill.”
“By tapping him to function the nation’s prime regulation enforcement officer, President-elect Trump is signaling his dedication to make good on his marketing campaign guarantees round hashish reform,” Culver stated. “We’ve stated from the outset that the hashish group has good purpose to be optimistic a couple of second Trump Administration. At the moment’s Lawyer Normal announcement, together with different current staffing strikes, give us hope for the following part of federal hashish reform, together with passing the SAFE Banking Act and finalizing the reclassification of hashish to Schedule III.”
However whereas Gaetz would possibly, if confirmed, be good for the marijuana trade, there’s grave concern even in Republican circles concerning the harm he might do the Justice Division and the rule of regulation as a MAGA lawyer normal. That concern is even deeper outdoors Republican circles.
Texas Lawmakers Prefile Marijuana Legalization, Medical Marijuana Growth Payments. The following legislative session doesn’t start till January, however lawmakers have already prefiled payments to legalize marijuana, impose new restrictions on hemp, and increase the state’s low-THC medical marijuana program. And extra are more likely to come
The Home has handed marijuana decriminalization payments within the final three classes, solely to see them die within the Senate.
Subsequent yr, lawmakers will ponder a legalization invoice from Rep. Jessica González (D), Home Invoice 1208. It might legalize the possession of as much as 2.5 ounces by individuals 21 and over and as much as 10 ounces at house. It comprises no express provision for house rising however does envision a authorized marijuana market.
They will even contemplate Home Invoice 1146 from Rep. Penny Morales Shaw (D). It might increase eligibility for the medical marijuana program by together with as a qualifying situation “a situation that causes continual ache, for which a doctor would in any other case prescribe an opioid.”
And there’s Home Invoice 1113 from Rep. Briscoe Cain (R), which might tighten laws on analysis and manufacturing within the state. It might create a legal offense of rising hemp with out a license and set up a allow that may be required of hemp growers.
There are additionally a pair of Senate payments. Senate Invoice 170 from Sen. José Menéndez (D) would make the low-THC medical marijuana program a full-blown one, whereas
Senate Invoice 259 from Sen. Carol Alvarado (D), would “increase using medical marijuana by permitting medical doctors & science to dictate what situations & signs are eligible for a prescription.”
of the regulation.”
Drug Coverage
Drug Czar Lauds Decline in Overdose Deaths. With the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) reporting that drug overdose deaths declined by 14.5 p.c year-over-year (within the 12-months ending June 2024), marking the seventh straight month of declines in predicted overdose deaths, Dr. Rahul Gupta, head of the White Home Workplace of Drug Management Coverage (ONDCP—the drug czar’s workplace), is announcing himself and the administration happy.
“When President Biden and Vice President Harris first took workplace, the variety of drug overdose deaths was rising 31% year-over-year,” Gupta stated in an announcement. “That’s why this Administration took quick motion – to make beating the opioid disaster a prime precedence and a key pillar of the President’s Unity Agenda for the Nation. Over the previous 4 years, we have now eliminated decades-long obstacles to remedy for thousands and thousands of People, we have now made life-saving opioid overdose reversal drugs like naloxone extra accessible and reasonably priced throughout the nation, and we have now invested historic ranges of funding to crack down on the provision of illicit fentanyl on the border,” he added.
“The most recent information present that our efforts are working, and in consequence, there have been 16,000 fewer overdose deaths over the past yr. Each life saved means one much less grieving household and group. The Biden-Harris Administration stays dedicated to proceed delivering significant progress to cut back drug overdose deaths and save much more lives.”
