Robert Celt
New Member
Cannabis businesspeople, activists and their allies gather Feb. 13 and 14 in San Francisco for the International Cannabis Business Conference – an event packed full of influential speakers, including former US Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders, and columnist Andrew Sullivan.
ICBC's organizers announced Wednesday the inclusion of two political leaders on the issue: Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA. and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR.
Rep. Rohrabacher helped make history along with Rep. Sam Farr in 2014 when the two led Congress to a historic bipartisan ceasefire on state-legal medical marijuana. Their spending provision was renewed this year with 33% more Republican votes (67 House Republican votes total).
Rep. Blumenauer supported Oregon legalization Measure 91, and has also distinguished himself on this issue nationally. In November, he called for the resignation of the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, after the official said the medical use of cannabis was a "joke".
Rep. Rohrabacher and Rep. Blumenauer chatted with Smell the Truth about 2016 cannabis legalization, the presidential race, and the message they'll carry to San Francisco this February.
In this first of a series of Smell the Truth Q&As with the Congressmen, Rep. Rohrabacher implores liberal cannabis fans to tactically support unlikely Republican allies facing tough primaries this year in places like North Carolina. Rep. Blumenauer said marijuana law reform is at a historic juncture, and it's time to press the advantage. (Q&A edited for clarity and length)
Smell the Truth: Congressmen, what message will you be carrying to the businesspeople gathered at the ICBC Feb. 13 and 14?
Rep. Rohrabacher: We need to mobilize those people who have the freedom to consume cannabis to get some things done, rather than just having a general approach ... if we're going to keep winning on this issue.
They need to remember this – the reason why we've been successful ... in organizing this effort is that we were able to convince a significant chunk of Republicans to vote for cannabis freedom based on the 10th Amendment.
These Republicans are not voting because they like cannabis or think it's good. What they're voting on is their belief in constitutionally limited government and they're going to vote to let the state decides on this. That's the crux of the matter. All this other talk about how good cannabis is is irrelevant to that vote.
The Democrats are always going to vote for what their base of supporters want them to vote for – to legalize marijuana, especially medical marijuana.
The Republican base of supporters are up in the air, because they think smoking marijuana is criminal activity. So that's where our leverage is.
We can take the Democrats for granted. ... The core supporters of Republicans are not in that situation, but they will support their Republican elected officials if he's just talking about letting the states decide.
We got to help those Republicans, because every one of them knew that in the primary election, if someone wanted to knock them off, they'll have all sorts of negative hostile ads claiming they are in favor of little kids smoking marijuana or their drug cartel friends.
Of course, as we know, it's the illegalization of marijuana that feeds the cartels.
These [Republicans] know they could be the target of a major attack, and thus to keep them on our side, the marijuana community has got to let them know that they're supportive of those Republicans that are making a tough decision to go with the constitutional cannabis freedom position.
I have been mentioning one particular Republican – his name's Walter Jones and he is one of the wonderful constitutional Southern conservative Republicans in the House. He's also taken some other positions that have been very hard. He's been somewhat anti-war. I call Walter Jones the conscience of the House, and he has supported this every time.
Now, he's got some right-wing Republicans in his district that are targeting him and frankly I've been telling people if Walter loses because of this, that 67 people who voted for it last time are going to be told, 'Hey, why are you putting yourself out? These people aren't even helping Walter Jones.' Walter is not getting the support he deserves.
If people want to be serious about it, they need to look at this very professionally and know that if Walter Jones and people like him lose, and they have not been helped by the cannabis freedom movement, no one is going to stand with the cannabis freedom movement where it makes them vulnerable.
And quite frankly, I do have some people that are helping me, but nowhere near compensating for the risk that I'm taking being the point person. I'm sorry to complain. The people that really believe in this issue should understand they got to approach it in a very professional way.
Rep. Blumenauer: It's important to be able to convey what a pivotal time this is for the development for the industry and the movement. We have seen unprecedented progress in Congress, particularly the last three years, with more bi-partisan legislation introduced, with successful votes, but now we're watching the wave crest.
The work that is being done by some of these pioneering companies is really remarkable in terms of people who are setting a gold standard for the emerging cannabis industry.
At the same time, we are looking in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, Maine, Nevada – there are a number of proposals that are coming forward for votes by the public. That gives us an opportunity to realize this potential. If the majority of these proposals pass, it will be a defining moment in the evolution of marijuana [law] reform.
We want people to understand: what is happening; the work being done by industry pioneers; and, on the ground, that advocacy in Congress is contributing to this unique moment in history.
It's an opportunity for people, particularly in the states where we are dealing with a legal adult marijuana business, to help define the parameters of the industry. That's what we've been spending a lot of time on after the passage of Measure 91 in Oregon – to help promote the smoothest transition possible. People are setting the tone and direction.
The growth in sophistication and intensity of advocacy that I've seen in Congress makes me very optimistic. It's making a difference, in terms of defining people's opinions on the issue. Every opportunity to make the case and advance the cause is helping build the momentum.
We still have – not withstanding the initiatives – a fight to make sure we get rid of unfair taxation, allowing the industry to pay fair taxes, and banking. Those are the two issues that almost anybody should be able to support, regardless of really how they feel about legalization of cannabis.
It makes no sense to have punitive taxes, or to make it be an all-cash enterprise. So it's really important for people to continue that effort. It's helped us, but we shouldn't take the pressure off, and we will win.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Rep. Earl Blumenauer: We Will End Cannabis Prohibition In Congress
Author: David Downs
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: Staff
Website: SFGate
ICBC's organizers announced Wednesday the inclusion of two political leaders on the issue: Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA. and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR.
Rep. Rohrabacher helped make history along with Rep. Sam Farr in 2014 when the two led Congress to a historic bipartisan ceasefire on state-legal medical marijuana. Their spending provision was renewed this year with 33% more Republican votes (67 House Republican votes total).
Rep. Blumenauer supported Oregon legalization Measure 91, and has also distinguished himself on this issue nationally. In November, he called for the resignation of the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, after the official said the medical use of cannabis was a "joke".
Rep. Rohrabacher and Rep. Blumenauer chatted with Smell the Truth about 2016 cannabis legalization, the presidential race, and the message they'll carry to San Francisco this February.
In this first of a series of Smell the Truth Q&As with the Congressmen, Rep. Rohrabacher implores liberal cannabis fans to tactically support unlikely Republican allies facing tough primaries this year in places like North Carolina. Rep. Blumenauer said marijuana law reform is at a historic juncture, and it's time to press the advantage. (Q&A edited for clarity and length)
Smell the Truth: Congressmen, what message will you be carrying to the businesspeople gathered at the ICBC Feb. 13 and 14?
Rep. Rohrabacher: We need to mobilize those people who have the freedom to consume cannabis to get some things done, rather than just having a general approach ... if we're going to keep winning on this issue.
They need to remember this – the reason why we've been successful ... in organizing this effort is that we were able to convince a significant chunk of Republicans to vote for cannabis freedom based on the 10th Amendment.
These Republicans are not voting because they like cannabis or think it's good. What they're voting on is their belief in constitutionally limited government and they're going to vote to let the state decides on this. That's the crux of the matter. All this other talk about how good cannabis is is irrelevant to that vote.
The Democrats are always going to vote for what their base of supporters want them to vote for – to legalize marijuana, especially medical marijuana.
The Republican base of supporters are up in the air, because they think smoking marijuana is criminal activity. So that's where our leverage is.
We can take the Democrats for granted. ... The core supporters of Republicans are not in that situation, but they will support their Republican elected officials if he's just talking about letting the states decide.
We got to help those Republicans, because every one of them knew that in the primary election, if someone wanted to knock them off, they'll have all sorts of negative hostile ads claiming they are in favor of little kids smoking marijuana or their drug cartel friends.
Of course, as we know, it's the illegalization of marijuana that feeds the cartels.
These [Republicans] know they could be the target of a major attack, and thus to keep them on our side, the marijuana community has got to let them know that they're supportive of those Republicans that are making a tough decision to go with the constitutional cannabis freedom position.
I have been mentioning one particular Republican – his name's Walter Jones and he is one of the wonderful constitutional Southern conservative Republicans in the House. He's also taken some other positions that have been very hard. He's been somewhat anti-war. I call Walter Jones the conscience of the House, and he has supported this every time.
Now, he's got some right-wing Republicans in his district that are targeting him and frankly I've been telling people if Walter loses because of this, that 67 people who voted for it last time are going to be told, 'Hey, why are you putting yourself out? These people aren't even helping Walter Jones.' Walter is not getting the support he deserves.
If people want to be serious about it, they need to look at this very professionally and know that if Walter Jones and people like him lose, and they have not been helped by the cannabis freedom movement, no one is going to stand with the cannabis freedom movement where it makes them vulnerable.
And quite frankly, I do have some people that are helping me, but nowhere near compensating for the risk that I'm taking being the point person. I'm sorry to complain. The people that really believe in this issue should understand they got to approach it in a very professional way.
Rep. Blumenauer: It's important to be able to convey what a pivotal time this is for the development for the industry and the movement. We have seen unprecedented progress in Congress, particularly the last three years, with more bi-partisan legislation introduced, with successful votes, but now we're watching the wave crest.
The work that is being done by some of these pioneering companies is really remarkable in terms of people who are setting a gold standard for the emerging cannabis industry.
At the same time, we are looking in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, Maine, Nevada – there are a number of proposals that are coming forward for votes by the public. That gives us an opportunity to realize this potential. If the majority of these proposals pass, it will be a defining moment in the evolution of marijuana [law] reform.
We want people to understand: what is happening; the work being done by industry pioneers; and, on the ground, that advocacy in Congress is contributing to this unique moment in history.
It's an opportunity for people, particularly in the states where we are dealing with a legal adult marijuana business, to help define the parameters of the industry. That's what we've been spending a lot of time on after the passage of Measure 91 in Oregon – to help promote the smoothest transition possible. People are setting the tone and direction.
The growth in sophistication and intensity of advocacy that I've seen in Congress makes me very optimistic. It's making a difference, in terms of defining people's opinions on the issue. Every opportunity to make the case and advance the cause is helping build the momentum.
We still have – not withstanding the initiatives – a fight to make sure we get rid of unfair taxation, allowing the industry to pay fair taxes, and banking. Those are the two issues that almost anybody should be able to support, regardless of really how they feel about legalization of cannabis.
It makes no sense to have punitive taxes, or to make it be an all-cash enterprise. So it's really important for people to continue that effort. It's helped us, but we shouldn't take the pressure off, and we will win.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Rep. Earl Blumenauer: We Will End Cannabis Prohibition In Congress
Author: David Downs
Contact: SFGate
Photo Credit: Staff
Website: SFGate
