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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.
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Freedom Caucus Chair Harris plans to “have a talk with RFK Jr." about harms of marijuana; open to psychedelics though
Feb 8, 202500:01:34Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom Caucus LISTEN: Laslo & Harris Ask a Pol asks:Do you have any thoughts…Key Harris:“Marijuana’s harmful,” Rep. Andy Harris told Ask a Pol. “I’ll have a talk with RFK Jr. I mean, the bottom line is, we should make sure that we keep Americans healthy by limiting the use of marijuana.” ICYMI — Laslo’s wire service, The LCB, first sold this to Marijuana Moment Caught our ear:What do you think of RFK Jr.’s stance on psychedelics — using them to treat PTSD and stuff like that? “It might be possible. We may want to do some more research,” Harris said. “But we don’t want to do what DC did, which was make just them widely available.” Below, you’ll find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Andy HarrisSCENE: Rep. Andy Harris is walking through one of the US House Office Buildings when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo approaches him and he instantly brings up RFK Jr. and cannabis… Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you sir? Do you have any thoughts….”Andy Harris: “Marijuana’s harmful…”Laslo laughs. AH: “….showed it — largest study ever. So we should definitely — I’ll have a talk with RFK Jr. I mean, the bottom line is, we should make sure that we keep Americans healthy by limiting the use of marijuana.” Consider supporting our independent journalism from your US Capitol!Find us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “I was going to ask your thoughts on Gaza.” Laslo laughs. ML: “Do you — what do you think of his stance on psychedelics?” AH: “On what?” ML: “Psychedelics. Using them to treat PTSD and stuff like that.” AH: “It might be possible. We may want to do some more research.”ML: “Yeah?” AH: “But we don’t want to do what DC did, which was make just them widely available, ya know?” Harris enters elevator. ML: “Yeah?” Elevator doors close. 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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"Such a boomer thing to say," Rep. Omar mocks Trump's DEA pick
Jan 25, 202500:02:38Tap to summarizeWho?Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & OmarAsk a Pol asks:Do you know anything about Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, Derek Maltz?Key Omar:“No? Maltz who?” Rep. Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol. He says it's a ‘gateway drug…’ “What is he, a 100 years old?” Omar says. “All of that has been debunked for a really long time, but I think it's such a boomer thing to say…” ICYMI — Omar exclusive first sold to Marijuana MomentCaught our ear:“We are not advocating for legalizing it so that kids can utilize it,” Omar tells us. “So I have no idea why he's talking about kids.” Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ilhan OmarSCENE: There’s a vote underway on the House floor when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Rep. Omar’s walking back to her office…Matt Laslo: “You're going the wrong way.”Ilhan Omar: “I know. They called votes and I started to see members, and I was like ‘What are we doing, what is going on?’ Came out of meeting, so I didn’t know.”ML: “Do you know anything about this [Derek] Maltz guy who was tapped to lead the DEA?”ICYMI — 100 of 100 US senators on SAFER Banking ActIO: “No. Maltz who?”ML: “That’s what I'm saying.”Omar laughs. ML: “But — and this is my wire service, one of our clients is Marijuana Moment — and so I just told him to send me all his opinions, he says, it's a ‘gateway drug,’ that cannabis is. ‘That all the irresponsible politicians trying to get votes by legalizing marijuana. Maybe it's time to understand the negative impacts from smoking this crap.’”IO: “What is he, a 100 years old?”ML: “Right?”IO: “All of that has been debunked for a really long time, but I think it's such a boomer thing to say, I don't know how old this man is, but — right?”ML: “And then he says, ‘it's actually causing psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety. So it's really a gateway drug for these kids that don't know any better.’” IO: “Well, first of all, there are — we are not advocating for legalizing it so that kids can utilize it. So I have no idea why he's talking about kids.”ML: “Right?”IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Do you worry about even, like, the mental health claims he's making?”IO: “No, it's actually helpful.”ML: “It's helpful?”Consider supporting our independent journalism from your US Capitol! Consider chipping in to support our independent journalism —Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!IO: “Yes.”ML: “Cause you can so easily debunk it?”IO: “Yess — but, I mean, no. It's helpful for a lot of people who are struggling with all types of stuff.” ML: “Yeah?”IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Amen. 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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New Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Omar: "The hope is to be a little bit louder than what we’ve been”
Jan 19, 202500:02:34Tap to summarizeSCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN FOR FREE! Who?Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & OmarAsk a Pol asks:We heard that you're a new co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. Have you started any talks on the marijuana policy here?Key Omar:“It's still preliminary. None of us have met yet,” Rep. Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We're still very in the early stages of organizing ourselves here in Congress.” ICYMI — Interview informed Marijuana Moment’s articleCaught our ear:“The hope is to be a little bit louder than what we’ve been,” Omar tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ilhan OmarSCENE: As Rep. Ilhan Omar’s making her way to the House floor to vote, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into her in the tunnel connecting House Office Buildings to the US Capitol. Matt Laslo: “I hear that you're a new co-chair of the cannabis caucus.”Ilhan Omar: “I am. Yes, sir.”ICYMI — 100 of 100 US senators on SAFER Banking ActML: “What do you see — like, it just doesn't seem it's gonna be a big priority for the new incoming administration. Or are you guys having talks?” IO: “With the new — no, no. We had…”ML: “Or bipartisan talks here?” IO: “No, no, it's still preliminary. None of us have met yet. Actually, had my first conversation with my co-chair yesterday.”ML: “Oh yeah? It went well?” They enter an elevator in the basement of the Capitol. IO: “We're still very in the early stages of organizing ourselves here in Congress, so…”ML: “Cause even your party hasn't moved on of it — [Dem Senate Leader Chuck] Schumer never brought SAFER [Banking Act] to the floor.” IO: “Yeah.” ML: “So do you think you guys are gonna have an influence in your own party, as well as trying to reach across the aisle?”They exit the elevator just off the House floor. IO: “Yeah. The hope is to be a little bit louder than what we’ve been.” ML: “Yeah?”IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Are you figuring out, like, how to affix it to the agenda?”IO: “Yeah. I mean, I come from a state that it's legalized, that's done it really well and I think we bring a uniquer voice to the issue.”ML: “And now, as to your colleagues, three-quarters of the nation it’s legal.” IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Like, do they get that in all these conservatives there?”IO: “Well, that's our hope. At least, to speak to their libertarian senses.”ML: “Yeah? It almost seems that psychedelics are now more en vogue and cannabis is now being passed over?” IO: “Cause it should be a given at this point. And that's the point we're gonna try to make.”ML: “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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Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin "a fan" of SAFER Banking Act
Jan 9, 202500:01:39Tap to summarizeSCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN FOR FREE! Who?Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)LISTEN: Laslo & Slotkin Ask a Pol asks:Do you know where you are on SAFER Banking Act?Key Slotkin:“I'm a fan. I believe in it,” Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I couldn't explain to you why people don't support it on either side of the aisle.” Caught our ear:“I want that industry — that's now worth billions of dollars and legal in the United States — to be able to bank,” Slotkin tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — 100 of 100 US senators on SAFER Banking Act TRANSCRIPT: Senator-elect Elissa SlotkinSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin as she’s casting one of her last votes in the US House of Representatives in December 2024. Matt Laslo: “Do you know where you are on SAFER Banking Act?” Elissa Slotkin: “Pardon?” ML: “SAFER Banking Act — it’s the cannabis…” ES: “SAFE — I don't think it's SAFER, is it?” EXCLUSIVE: SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT*Sneak peak: See our new list of all 100 US senators in the 119th Congress on the SAFER Banking Act *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “It used to be SAFE…”ES: “Oh really. Oh, okay.”ML: “…and then they added the ‘R'.’” ES: “I am a co-sponsor.”ML: “Yeah.” ES: “I'm a fan. I believe in it, and I don't understand why we — I couldn't explain to you why people don't support it…”Subscriber only sneak peak: New list of all 100 senators on SAFER in 119th Congress ML: “Yeah?” ES: “…like, on either side of the aisle.” ML: “Yeah? What do you make of the talking points. Like, being there in Michigan, like, the reality looks a lot different than the talking points on that issue.”ES: “On that issue?”ML: “Yeah.” ES: “Oh, I don't know what the talking points are. I can just tell you that I want that industry — that's now worth billions of dollars and legal in the United States — to be able to bank.”ML: “Yeah?” ES: “That's it. That's it.”Laslo laughs. ES: “Period.” Slotkin heads to the House floor to vote. ML: “I'll be watchin. Thank you ma’am.” LJ Dawson contributed to this reporting. 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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Incoming Majority Leader Thune "not a fan" of SAFER Banking for marijuana
Jan 4, 202500:01:27Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. John Thune (R-SD) — Incoming Senate Majority LeaderLISTEN: Laslo & ThuneAsk a Pol asks:What are your thoughts on the SAFER Banking Act?Key Thune:“I’m not a fan,” Sen. John Thune exclusively tells Ask a Pol.ICYMI — SALE!!! Subscribe today! Caught our ear:Any thoughts on the DEA rescheduling marijuana?“Ummm,” Thune replied, then kept on walking into the US Capitol.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. John Thune (R-SD), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John Thune ISCENE: Thune’s walking into the Capitol to cast an early evening vote when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo asks him a quick question. Matt Laslo: “Your thoughts on the DEA rescheduling marijuana?”John Thune: “Ummm…”The incoming majority leader said nothing and just kept walking. Happy Holidays! For those asking, we’re on: Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John Thune IIML: “Sen. Thune, where are you…”JT: “What’s that?”ML: “Follow-up to my question last week. Where are you on SAFER Banking Act?”JT: “I'm not a fan. I mean, I know we have people that — on our side that are for it, but I'm not.”ML: “Yep. 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. Sullivan on SAFER Banking Act: “I don’t know what that is”
Jan 3, 202500:01:19Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) LISTEN: Laslo & SullivanAsk a Pol asks:Are you still supportive of SAFER Banking Act?Key Sullivan: “SAFE Banking?” Sen. Sullivan exclusively told Ask a Pol. It’s SAFER Banking Act now. “I don’t know what that is,” Sullivan said. Caught our ear:“Yeah. I haven’t seen that one yet,” Sullivan told us of SAFER. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Ask a Pol’s End of Year BLOWOUT SALE! TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Dan SullivanSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo hops an elevator with Sen. Dan Sullivan after he leaves the Senate chamber and heads back to his office. Matt Laslo: “Are you still supportive of SAFER Banking? Or are you kinda watching?”Dan Sullivan: “SAFE Banking?”ML: “SAFE Banking but not SAFER?”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.DS: “I don’t know what that is.”ML: “That’s the new, that’s the new one.”Staffer: “Who’s the — who’s on top of it?”ML: “It’s the one that went through Banking [Housing and Urban Affairs] Committee, [Sen. Mike] Rounds and them.”DS: “Yeah, I haven’t seen that one yet.”ML: “Yeah. Preciate ya.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen 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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Democratic Sen. Shaheen: "I’m not a supporter of legalizing marijuana"
Jan 3, 202500:01:29Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)LISTEN: Laslo & ShaheenAsk a Pol asks:What are your thoughts on the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana?Key Shaheen: “I have some concerns about it,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen exclusively told Ask a Pol. Shaheen on SAFERUndecided. Caught our ear:“I’m not a supporter of legalizing marijuana,” Shaheen told us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — don’t miss our end-of-year BLOWOUT SALE! TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Jeanne ShaheenSCENE: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s walking through the basement of the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches up with her as she rides an elevator up to the Senate chamber, along with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Matt Laslo: “Ma’am, I was curious, what are your thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”Jeanne Shaheen: “I have some concerns about it.”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “Yeah?”JS: “I haven’t had the chance to see the details, but I’m not a supporter of legalizing marijuana.”ML: “Yeah. And you — your apprehension to — I guess, you haven’t seen it yet?”JS: “I haven’t.”ML: “But it looks like…”JS: “So I’m not gonna speak to details.”ML: “You’re wise, she’s wise.”Laslo laughs.Sen. Tammy Baldwin: “She is wise. She is wise…”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen 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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Sen. Wicker: "I'm not commenting" on marijuana's SAFER Banking Act
Jan 2, 202500:02:17Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) LISTEN: Laslo & WickerAsk a Pol asks:Have you looked at the SAFER Banking Act?Key Wicker: “No,” Sen. Roger Wicker exclusively told Ask a Pol. “I'm not commenting on-the-record about the SAFER Banking Act.” Caught our ear: Have you been to the University of Mississippi cannabis test facilities?“I guess so,” Wicker told us. “I guess so.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Roger WickerSCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Sen. Roger Wicker’s making his way back to his office via the Capitol’s underground tram system when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo proceeds to hop a ride with the veteran lawmaker. Matt Laslo: “Morning, senator. Do you have thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana? Wicker shakes head no. ML: “Have you looked at the SAFER Banking Act?”Roger Wicker: “No.”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “No?”RW: “Oh, the DEA?”ML: “Yeah.”“Mind if I?,” Laslo’s asking the senator if he can join him on the tram. The tram announces, “the doors are closing.”RW: “I'm not commenting on-the-record about the SAFER Banking Act.”ML: “About SAFER Banking?”RW: “Mm-hm”ML: “Let me ask you about clemency. What do you think about talking about clemency for past marijuana convictions?”Both laugh.RW: “I'm not commenting on that.”ML: “Yeah? Are you upset with the DEA for rescheduling or examining it? Cause University of Mississippi, you...”RW: “Well, the University of Mississippi has been doing marijuana research for over 50 years.“ML: “Oh yeah. And you’ve been there, to their test facilities?”RW: “I guess so. I guess so.”ML: “But you're still on the fence on SAFER Banking? He's not commenting.”RW: “I'm not commenting.”ML: “You're a wise man.”RW: “I would be glad to speak with you off the record.”ML: “Yeah. I can turn her off.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen 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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If his amendment stays, Reed supports SAFER Banking, but “the question is whether they’re gonna take it out”
Jan 1, 202500:01:40Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) — Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs CommitteeBonus listen!Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo spoke with Sen. Reed twice on marijuana policy. Scroll down to listen to both interviews and keep scrolling if you want to read the two Reed transcripts.LISTEN: Laslo & Reed IAsk a Pol asks (Interview I):Where are you on SAFER Banking Act — do you still want changes to that?Key Reed (Interview I):“I think we want it, but we don't want them to obstruct regulators in non-legal stuff,” Sen. Jack Reed exclusively told Ask a Pol.DEA rescheduling? What do you think about the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana?“You know, again, it's so prevalent — it's legal in my state's sales. “That the conflict between a Schedule I and commercial sales probably has to be corrected.”LISTEN: Laslo & Reed IIAsk a Pol asks (Interview II):Follo-up from last time we asked — are you supportive of the SAFER Banking Act?Key Reed (Interview II): “Well, we had a bipartisan amendment in committee which satisfied my concerns,” Reed told us. “The question is whether they’re gonna take it out.”ICYMI — Ask a Pol asks all 100 US senators about SAFER Below find two rough transcripts of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interviews with Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT I: Sen. Jack Reed (5-8-2024)SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo walks with Sen. Jack Reed through the basement of the US Capitol before they hop an elevator up to the Senate floor. Matt Laslo: “Do you have any thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”Jack Reed: “You mean, take it off the Controlled Substance List?”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “Well, they're looking at taking it from Schedule I to maybe II or III…”Jack Reed: “Yeah.” ML: “…so they can study it more and stuff.”JR: “You know, again, it's so prevalent — it's legal in my state, sales — that the conflict between a Schedule I and commercial sales probably has to be corrected.”ML: “Where are you on SAFER Banking? You still want changes to that?”JR: “I think we want it, but we don't want them to obstruct regulators in non-legal stuff.”ML: “Yeah. ‘Obstruct regulators in non-legal stuff.’”TRANSCRIPT II: Sen. Jack Reed (6-18-2024)SCENE: After Sen. Jack Reed voted on the Senate floor he runs into Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo who had a follow-up question on the SAFER Banking Act for him… Matt Laslo: “I asked you a couple weeks ago, but with SAFER Banking Act?”Jack Reed: “Yeah.”ML: “Are you totally won over or are you still — like, did they give you enough changes?” JR: “Well, we had a bipartisan amendment in committee which satisfied my concerns.”ML: “Yeah.” JR: “The question is whether they’re gonna take it out?”ML: “Yup.”JR: “And, you know, I don’t know if we’re gonna be doing any banking legislation over the next several weeks at all.”ML: “Yeah. That’s why I sensed some hesitancy and I was like, ‘I need to ask him a follow-up.’”Reed offers a Rhode Island half smile. ML: “Preciate ya. Have a good one.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen 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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Sen. Hagerty says marijuana's "not a matter of liberty or freedom"
Dec 27, 202400:03:08Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) — Senate Banking Committee LISTEN: Laslo & HagertyAsk a Pol asks:Social policy’s en vogue again in today’s new right — where’d Republican’s libertarian leanings go?Key Hagerty:“I think at the core, the appreciation of liberty and freedom is still very prevalent in the Republican Party,” Hagerty told us. “Even, you take an issue like crypto technology. I've seen a tremendous movement toward us by people who, I think, are essentially libertarian — wanna be left alone by the government.” ICYMI — Don’t miss our sister site AskaPolcrypto.comHagerty’s libertarian leanings end at marijuana: Should a Trump administration roll back the DEA’s rescheduling of marijuana?“That, to me, is not a matter of liberty and freedom, as much as, as a parent, great concern about where it leads,” Sen. Bill Hagerty exclusively told Ask a Pol. “I certainly don't want to see this encouraged.”Caught our eye: In the Senate Banking Committee, Hagerty opposed the SAFER Banking Act.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Bill HagertySCENE: In the midst of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo was exploring what happened to the GOP’s libertarian leanings of, say, the Rand Paul era, when he ran into Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty in a busy hallway just off the convention floor. Matt Laslo: “The party used to have strong — you know, in the Rand Paul or Ron Paul era — strong libertarian leanings. I'm kind of curious if they're still there or — your take out of that?”Bill Hagerty: “Listen, I think at the core, the appreciation of liberty and freedom is still very prevalent in the Republican Party. You take an issue like crypto technology.” ML: “Yeah?” BH: “I've seen a tremendous movement toward us by people who I think are essentially libertarian and wanna be left alone by the government, and the last thing we want is the last thing they want is centralized control over their currency and their financial activities.”ML: “Yeah.” SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Broke at holidays? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.BH: “What they see from our platform — and you should check out our crypto, the legs of our crypto platform.” ML: “Yeah.” BH: “It’s the most libertarian, freedom-oriented posture that one could possibly take, and, I think, as I've had conversations with people in that industry, they say, ‘Look, this is a litmus test on the ballot’ and every libertarian should be supportive of this, and I’ve had tremendous positive feedback.”ML: “I used to discover music back in the day. I spent July 4th with my band family in Nashville...”BH: “Oh, great.” ML: “…and a lot of them are really into crypto. Not into politics — they want Washington out…”BH: “I've seen the same thing:. They're not into politics, but they want freedom here. And I think we have a lot of voters, you know, who have a lot of alignment with us, but they tend not to vote in primaries. But when it's your pocketbook at stake, I think we're gonna engage a lot more people in the crypto community, and the numbers are large...”ML: “Yeah, yeah.”BH: “…between 20 and 50 million.” ML: “Right?” BH: “And so I think it's a significant number of people, and a lot of them that have those libertarian leanings, they're gonna find their home right here.”ML: “And then when it comes to something like the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana, would you like to see Trump roll that back? Cause he's always been opposed to cannabis and drinking.”BH: “That, to me, is not a matter of liberty or freedom, as much as it is, as a parent, great concern about where it leads. This is far stronger than anything that people were doing back in the 60s. I certainly don't want to see this encouraged. And, you know, I don't, I didn't see anything in the platform that would make me feel otherwise.”ML: “Yeah? Preciate ya.” Hagerty and his aide signal they have somewhere they need to be in the arena. ML: “Good to see you, sir.”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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