Podcast
Ask a Pol drugs
Hosted by Ask a Pol by Matt Laslo · EN
Asking your lawmakers your drug (medicine and criminal justice, etc.) questions at your US Capitol.
www.askapoldrugs.com
www.askapoldrugs.com
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“I say ‘yes’ to drugs,” Ask a Pol's Matt Laslo tells Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris
May 24, 202500:01:20Tap to summarizeVisit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Do you feel like we're closer on reconciliation?**President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill”Key Andy Harris:“Just say ‘no’ to drugs,” Rep. Andy Harris tells Ask a Pol founder and professor Matt Laslo.“I say ‘yes’ to drugs,” Laslo replies.“Don’t say that in public, man,” Harris replies.“Someone's gotta test ‘em,” Laslo laughs.NEW: Follow Ask a Pol on YouTubeAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Congressional Cannabis Caucus still hasn't met yet this year
May 2, 202500:02:26Tap to summarizeVisit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:The Congressional Cannabis Caucus still hasn’t met yet this Congress, does that portend bad things to come?Key Omar:“I don't know. I think it's just there's so many things people are chasing,” Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol.ICYMI — Cannabis Unity Week of Action starts April 28thAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Sen. Ashley Moody noncommittal on banking protections for marijuana companies
Apr 19, 202500:02:02Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL)* *Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s replacement in the United States Senate. ICYMI — don’t expect much ‘drug’ diplomacy… LISTEN: Laslo & Moody Ask a Pol asks:Do you know where ypou are on the SAFER Banking Act? Key Moody:“Something being proposed currently?” Sen. Ashley Moody replies. Yeah. It's the banking protections for cannabis firms. “Right,” Moody says. “But there are numerous versions floating around.”Ask a Pol drugs is a reader-supported publication. Consider supporting us today!Caught our ear:“I'm very intrigued by your tactics, it's like behind the line type strategy,” Moody tells Laslo. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Ashley MoodySCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Sen. Ashley Moody’s surprised to find Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo on the elevator she enters…Ashley Moody: “You just hang out? And I'm very intrigued by your tactics, it's like behind the line type strategy.” Matt Laslo: “Right?” AM: “Just ride the elevators all day and see who gets in.” ML: “It actually does work.”AM: “What ya got?” ML: “19 years, I learned some things.” AM: “What's your name?”ML: “Matt Laslo.” Please support our independent journalism! Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!AM: “Yes we met. We met that's right.” ML: “I used to be the correspondent for WFSU in Tallahasse, WLRN in Miami.” AM: “That’s right, yes, you told me that.” ML: “I’m curious — actually, VICE News Tonight flew me down for a sitdown with Nikki Dried on cannabis when she was [Florida] Ag. secretary. Where are you — do you know where ypou are on the SAFER Banking Act?” AM: “Something being proposed currently?” ML: “Yeah, it's the marijuana protections — or banking, it allows cannabis firms into the…” AM: “Right but there are numerous versions floating around.”ML: “Yeah.” AM: “So if you want to email which one you're talking about to my office, I'll look at it.” ML: “Cool. But like, generally do you know where — like, are you supportive or…? It’s just interesting this Congress it hasn’t really come up much at all.”AM: “If you want to email it to them I’ll take a look at it.” ML: “Will do. Thank you, ma’am.” Train doors closing warning goes off as Moody boards the underground tram. What should we ask Congress next? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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"Good to get it going,” Sen. Gallego ready to debate marijuana, SAFER Banking Act
Apr 5, 202500:01:25Tap to summarize~ Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know ASAP! https://www.askapol.com In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Do you think with cannabis and other substances, we might see it come up as an amendment to bigger pieces of legislation?“I could absolutely see that,” Sen. Ruben Gallego tells us of SAFER Banking Act marijuana protections for locally-legal cannabis companies that are still federally outlawed.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to their United States Congress. Transparency matters. Come inside the Capitol with us, cause we are free! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol just presses and presses and presses for answers. Every. Single. Day. Find us on social media:Substack XSpotify AppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Sen. Adam Schiff: marijuana policy “doesn’t make any sense” w/out SAFER Banking Act
Mar 28, 202500:02:06Tap to summarize~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~ Who?Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) — Judiciary & Small Business and Entrepreneurship CommitteesLISTEN: Laslo & SchiffAsk a Pol asks:Have you heard SAFER Banking Act come up at all with your new colleagues since moving from the House to the Senate these past few months?Key Sen. Adam Schiff:“Not that I heard yet,” Sen. Adam Schiff exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “It's really important that we allow an industry to use the banking system. Otherwise you just encourage cash transactions. You don’t get things reported. You don’t collect the taxes that you should.”ICYMI — baggy pants & psychedelics are in at US Capitol. Read more at Ask a Pol drugs...About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to their United States Congress. Transparency matters. Come inside the Capitol with Ask a Pol. Don’t miss our VIP subscriber perks. Substack: https://askapoldrugs.com/ X: https://x.com/AskaPol_drugs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vcQnOAD1pEkfQrzCaPQOq Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-pol-drugs/id1771220044 More from Ask a Pol politics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_5bAJlEVr6Nxw50bGzKBn08 crypto: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_7-NcJRUdAm4SgqYqQ3s0C9 ai: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_4r5FXI64YTOB4hoI-TBs-y Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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"The momentum is there,” Rep. Lou Correa says of psychedelics; not cannabis
Mar 23, 202500:01:44Tap to summarizeA people-powered press corps — asking your lawmakers your UAP questions at your US Capitol.Ask a Pol asks:Has the Congressional Cannabis Caucus met yet this new, 119th Congress?Key Correa:“No,” Rep. Lou Correa exclusively tells Ask a Pol.Psychedelics popular, cannabis forgotton at Capitol“The PATH [psychedelics] Caucus, we got a meeting today and tomorrow, and I think,” Correa says. “If I may presuppose, I think we have momentum. The momentum is there.”Transcript: Full transcripts of our exclusive interviews posted on AskaPoldrugs.comAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to the s***show that is the contemporary Congress. Subscribe to Ask a Pol if you can handle a personal tour of the unvarnished underbelly of American politics.Web: https://askapoldrugs.com/ X: https://x.com/AskaPol_drugs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vcQnOAD1pEkfQrzCaPQOq Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-pol-drugs/id1771220044 More from Ask a Pol:politics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_5bAJlEVr6Nxw50bGzKBn08 crypto: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_7-NcJRUdAm4SgqYqQ3s0C9 uaps: ai: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_4r5FXI64YTOB4hoI-TBs-y Fresh from Matt Laslo at https://x.com/MattLaslo This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Co-chair Joyce on why Cannabis Caucus hasn't met yet: “Why run our heads into the wall?"
Mar 15, 202500:02:31Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & JoyceAsk a Pol asks:What’s this we hear that the Congressional Cannabis Caucus hasn’t even met yet three months into this new Congress? Key Joyce:“No. We haven’t,” Rep. Dave Joyce exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Well, let’s face it, what are going to put on the table at the moment? … Why run our heads into the wall, right?” CAMEO: Andy Harris “Say no to marijuana!” Rep. Andy Harris says as Joyce and Laslo are talking on the Capitol steps. “You want a toke?” Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo asks Harris. Caught our ear:Ask a Pol mentions Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer… “He had [SAFER Banking Act] for like two years on his f*cking desk and didn’t do anything,” Joyce tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Joyce interview first sold to Marijuana Moment**Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo runs regionally-focused national wire service, The LCB. TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Dave Joyce SCENE: Ahead of the House vote to keep the US government funded through the fall, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo ran into Rep. Dave Joyce as he was making his way to the house floor to vote. Matt Laslo: “Hey, what is this I hear that the Cannabis Caucus hasn’t even met yet this Congress?” Dave Joyce: “No. We haven’t.”What should we ask Congress this week? ML: “Why not?”DJ: “Well, let’s face it, what are going to put on the table at the moment? We’re getting this,* then we got till we get reconciliation done. Why run our heads into the wall, right?” *Joyce is referring to the government funding bill the US House voted on the day we spoke. ML: “But now like [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer…” DJ: “He had the thing for like two years on his f*cking desk and didn’t do anything, right?” ML: “Yeah, fair.” Pity us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!DJ: “So, we’ll work on something, but it’s just a matter of wait til we’re in a position to do something.”ML: “Because I heard…”Rep. Andy Harris: “Say no to marijuana!” Joyce and Laslo laugh. ML: “Mr. Andy Harris, of course he says that!” They laugh. ICYMI — Harris talks to Ask a Pol…ML: “How do you know we’re talking about it?” Harris: “C’mon!” ML: “You want a toke?” They laugh harder. ML: “But, I was just talking to [Rep. Lou] Correa and he said that their Psychedelics Task Force has already met a couple times.” Laslo laughs. ML: “It feels that’s taking lead.”DJ: “I think they’re clearer. It’s, you know, they’re mixing — it’s tough enough for cannabis. And I get the psychedelic argument — you know, with help to the men and women in the service and God bless if it is, for addictions and all kinds of things too — but it’s been hard enough drive this bus uphill with the cannabis issues.”ML: “So keep them separated as much as possible?” DJ: “Correct. I’ve been asked on a number of occasions to be part of it, but I just steer clear of it because guys like him.”Joyce points over his shoulder, where Andy Harris just entered the Capitol. ML: “Do you think you guys might have a window to bring it up or do you think your part is just so…? DJ: “Well, I think after we get through reconciliation and things start to calm down, we get back to regular order.”ML: “Yeah?” DJ: “Might be the right time.”ML: “Yup. I’ll be watching.”Joyce starts heading up the Capitol steps. ML: “Appreciate ya!” FREE VIP subscriptions (for those who qualify)!!! *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.Nicolae Viorel Butler contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester's aide won't let the US Senator discuss marijuana policy
Mar 9, 202500:01:40Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) LISTEN: Laslo & Blunt RochesterAsk a Pol asks:Where are you on SAFER Banking Act?Key Blunt Rochester:“Do you mind if I just follow up with you over email,” an annoyingly worthless aide interjects, cutting off her boss, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester. ICYMI — 100 of 100 senators of 118th Congress on cannabis policyCaught our eye:Senator Blunt Rochester is cut off from speaking by her aide. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Lisa Blunt RochesterSCENE: After Delaware voters sent her to the US Senate in the 119th Congress, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester still had to show up for votes in the US House. On her way to one of those votes, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo found himself on an elevator with Blunt Rochester, so he asked about the SAFER Banking Act before her aide blocked Ask a Pol before everyone exited the elavator into crowded hall of reporters, tourists and politicans. Lisa Blunt Rochester: “Hi, how are you?”Matt Laslo: “Congratulations.”LBR: “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”ML: “I’m curious…” Rep. Mike McCaul entering elevator: “Yeah, she said that Peru would…”ML: “…do you know where you are on SAFER Banking Act over in the Senate?”The US Senator’s aide cuts the US Senator off. Aide: “What is your name and outlet?”ML: “Matt Laslo. I've got my own wire service.”Aide: “What was that?”ML: “Matt Laslo. I've got my own wire service.”Laslo hands the aide a business card. Aide: “Oh, you have a card.” ML: “I used to cover her back in the day for WHYY.”LBR: “Oh, great. Okay. So, do you mind if I just follow up with you over email?”ML: “Yeah.”LBR: “And it's about SAFER Banking?”ML: “SAFER Banking.”LBR: “Okay, great. Yeah. We'll follow up over email.”*aide never followed up… Support us? Consider supporting us! Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “Cool, cool.”LBR: “Thank you.”Elevator passanger: “It’s Maya.”ML: “Because they never vote, I poll US senators. I already have 100 senators on SAFER from the 118th [Congress].” The blocker of an aide doesn’t do her job well, as she doesn’t listen and thus doesn’t hear a word Laslo says…hence this post showing their press stratgey is s**t and a disservice to the people of Delaware. — Prof. Laslo Aide: “Alright, will do.” ML: “Have a good one, ma’am.”LBR: “Thank you.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Sen. Kim: marijuana SAFER Banking Act "particularly affects a lot of the small businesses" in NJ
Mar 1, 202500:01:42Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) — one of 11 new senators elected to the 119th CongressLISTEN: Laslo & KimAsk a Pol asks:How much are you hearing about the SAFER Banking Act from your constituents across New Jersey?Key Kim:“It particularly affects a lot of the small businesses because they're not the ones that can like, you know, handle high-price attorneys and others too,” Sen. Andy Kim exclusively told Ask a Pol. “So between that and, like, homegrown, those are like the two issues that I keep hearing about in New Jersey.” Ask a Pol’s FREE! Sign up for our latest. ICYMI — All 100 US senators on cannabis policyCaught our ear:“I’ve supported SAFE Banking,” Kim told us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Andy KimSCENE: During orientation for new senators, now-Sen. Andy Kim was still Rep. Kim who had to vote in the US House. Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Kim on his way to vote on the House floor. Matt Laslo: “Getting this thing on.”Laslo’s fidgetting wiqht his mic. ML: “Where are you on SAFER Banking?”Andy Kim: “Uh...”ML: “That's the cannabis one.”AK: “I supported — yeah, I’ve supported SAFE Banking.”ML: “Yeah?“AK: “The bill. Yeah.”ML: “How important — like, how much are you hearing about that from the Jersey industry or Jersey banks? Is it...”FREE VIP subscriptions available! *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.AK: “Yeah, because, you know, they have — I mean, it particularly affects a lot of the small businesses because they're not the ones that can like, you know, handle high-price attorneys and others too. ML: “Interesting. Cause it's been totally stalled in the Senate. Like, hasn't even...”AK: “Oh is that...”ML: “...come up for a vote in years.”AK: “Yeah? Is that where it's been at?”ML: “Yeah.”AK: “Is that where it's stuck? Yeah.”Woman: “Hi, Sen. Kim.”AK: “Hey, how are you?”Woman: “Good.”ML: “We'll see. I mean, kinda the same story as the House now [with Republican majority].”Consider supporting our independent journalism. Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!AK: “Yeah. It's true.”ML: “Right?”AK: “Yeah. Well, I'll keep you posted as that kinda moves forward.”ML: “Yes, sir. Preciate ya.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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Sen. John Fetterman bemoans cannabis movement losing "steam over the last couple years"
Feb 15, 202500:02:52Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) — Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee LISTEN: Laslo & FettermanAsk a Pol asked:President Donald Trump tapped Terrance Cole from Virginia as his DEA nominee. He’s been anti-cannabis his entire life. How will that impact rescheduling? Key Fetterman:“It’s undeniable that the legal weed movement have taken, have lost some steam over the last couple years,” Sen. John Fetterman exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “And that’s disappointing, because it’s not controversial to anyone other than the extreme fringes.”Subscribe for free for our latest. “I never judge anybody whatever they use or need to knock the edge off of life” — Sen. John Fetterman Caught our ear:“We’re still struggling and dicking around, and we should just make legal weed,” Fetterman tells us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John FettermanSCENE: Sen. John Fetterman’s heading back to his office across the street from the US Capitol via the Senate’s busy basement when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches him for a cannabis chat. Matt Laslo: “How are you sir?”They’re at a distance… ML: “You probably haven’t heard of him, but the new DEA pick from Trump is anti-marijuana. This guy, Terrance Cole, from Virginia. You think it’s good or bad to have someone that’s in charge of DEA and rescheduling…” John Fetterman: “Well, I, am very, very pro legal weed. And anyone that knows even a germ about my record knows that I’m very pro legal weed. And, I…”ML: “Are you worried, is it harder, though, because the DEA was trying to reschedule…”JF: “Yeah, no, I mean, it’s undeniable that the legal weed movement have taken, have lost some steam over the last couple years.”ML: “Yeah?” JF: “And that’s disappointing, because it’s not controversial to anyone other than the extreme fringes. And I’ve, six years ago, literally right now, I would be in a room walking in Red and Blue County, literally, when I was LG [Lieutenant Governor], and Red County Pennsylvania said, ‘hey, we want legal weed, it’s not controversial’. So, here we are, six years later, I might be in the Senate but now we’re still struggling and dicking around and we should just make legal weed.”ML: “Yeah?” JF: “I mean, it’s legal here in DC. It’s anarchy, like…ahhh!” Fetterman makes a screaming impression. Laslo laughs.JF: “Things are — ‘s**t’s crazy,’ because, you know? So, that’s the point, it’s not a big deal.”ML: “Yeah?” JF: “If I could go walk in there and buy a gigantic, if I could buy a giant bottle of Jack, you know, somehow the world still. Same with Zin.” ML: “Yeah?”JF: “Same with Zin. It’s like, adults should have the right to consume, you know, all of these kind of products. I never judge anybody whatever they use or need to knock the edge off of life.”ML: “The weed I grow, it’s taller than you and I, here in the District.” Laslo and Fetterman laugh. JF: “Yeah?”ML: “Have a good one!”Nicolae Viorel Butler contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe
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