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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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Sen. Barrasso opposes marijuana federally & says, "I oppose Wyoming taking any action as well!”
Oct 8, 202400:01:28Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) — Chair, Senate Republican ConferenceLISTEN: Laslo & BarrassoAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — rescheduling marijuana? Key Barrasso: “I've been opposed to it when I was in the state legislature, I've been opposed to it while I'm here and continue to be opposed to it,” Sen. John Barrasso exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “And I oppose Wyoming taking any action as well!”Looked at SAFER Banking Act?“I haven’t really,” Barrasso tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Join Ask a Pol’s VIP subscriber-only chat!SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John BarrassoSCENE: Sen. Barrasso exits an underground tram and makes his way to the US Capitol while answering questions from Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo. Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, sir?”John Barrasso: “Hi Matt.” ML: “What do you make of the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”JB: “You know, I've been opposed to it when I was in the state legislature, I've been opposed to it while I'm here and continue to be opposed to it. And oppose Wyoming taking any action as well.”ML: “Yeah? Where are you — have you looked at SAFER Banking Act?”Barrasso shakes his heads. ML: “No?”JB: “I haven’t really.” ML: “So, no?”JB: “I think [Sen.] Cynthia [Lummis]’s probably better. She’s on the [Banking] Committee.” ML: “Yeah, she's on it. So you don’t know? Haven’t looked at it?”JB: “Not yet.”ML: “Thank you, sir.” 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. Peters says marijuana legalization "where we're going"
Oct 1, 202400:01:30Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) — Chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) LISTEN: Laslo & PetersAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — rescheduling marijuana on its own?Key Peters: “States have legalized cannabis, the majority of states around the country. That's where we're going,” Sen. Gary Peters exclusively told Ask a Pol. Supportive of SAFER Banking Act? “Yeah,” Peters replied. “Very.”Caught our ear on clemency: “I’ve been very supportive of all that,” Peters told us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Join Ask a Pol’s VIP subscriber-only chat!*Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Gary PetersSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Sen. Peters as he’s exiting the tram underneath the US Capitol before making his way to the Senate. Matt Laslo: “How you doing, sir?”Gary Peters: “Good, how are you?”ML: “Livin’ the dream.”GP: “Of course, every day.”ICYMI — Ask a Pol’s exclusive with Laphonza Butler ML: “What do you make of the DEA rescheduling marijuana on its own? Supportive? Is it a good step?”GP: “Yeah, if you look at where states — states have legalized cannabis, the majority of states around the country. That's where we're going.”ML: “Are you supportive of the SAFER Banking Act?”GP: “Yeah, very.”ML: “Yeah? And then you support clemency efforts for past marijuana convictions?”GP: “Yeah, no. I’ve been very supportive of all that.”ML: “Thank you, sir.”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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Cardin on cannabis: “I better talk to some of my friends of the younger generation”
Sep 30, 202400:01:13Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) LISTEN: Laslo & CardinAsk a Pol asks:Any thoughts on the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana on its own?Key Cardin: “Oh, you know, I have to give that a little bit of thought,” Sen. Ben Cardin exclusively told Ask a Pol. Caught our ear: “I better talk to some of my friends of the younger generation,” Cardin told us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Join Ask a Pol’s VIP subscriber-only chat!*Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Ben CardinSCENE: Sen. Cardin exits an underground tram and heads to the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches him and inquires about evolving US cannabis policy. Matt Laslo: “Do you have any thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”Ben Cardin: “Oh, you know, I have to give that a little bit of thought.”ML: “Yeah?”BC: “I better talk to some of my friends of the younger generation.” Laslo laughs.ML: “Yes, sir. Have a good one.”BC: “Alright.” ML: “Good to see ya.”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. Butler calls SAFER Banking "key leverage point" for Democrats
Sep 29, 202400:02:26Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA)LISTEN: Laslo & ButlerAsk a Pol asks:Any thoughts on the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana on their own?Key Butler: “I wish it had happened years ago when states like mine were moved forward to create commerce and economic opportunity,” Sen. Laphonza Butler exclusively told Ask a Pol. Can SAFER be a leverage for clemency?“SAFER Banking won't be able to advance truly without those restorative justice elements,” Butler told us. “It's got to go hand in hand.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Join Ask a Pol’s VIP subscriber-only chat!*Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Laphonza ButlerSCENE: Sen. Butler exits an underground tram and heads to the US Capitol to cast a vote on the Senate floor. Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you, ma’am?”Laphonza Butler: “Good, sir. How are you doing?” ML: “Livin’ the dream.”LB: “I bet.”ML: “Curious your thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana on their own?”LB: “Look, there's been a conversation that has been going on in our country and states and communities for years now. And it's really always been about — the linchpin really has always been about how is the federal government gonna show up as a supportive instrument for the change that's happening in communities across the country. And so I applaud the effort. I wish it had happened years ago when states like mine were moving forward to create commerce and economic opportunity. But here we are.”ML: “And now, SAFER Banking Act — do you see that as potential leverage for getting something like clemency at the federal level on this or…?”LB: “We have to have the restorative justice elements. I think SAFER Banking won't be able to advance truly without those restorative justice elements. And so I think it is gonna be a key leverage point for getting those kinds of reliefs that communities across the country need.”ML: “It seems like Republicans are there when it comes to the banking, but then you talk about black and brown folks still left up there…”LB: “Exactly. So, if they want it — so it's got to go hand in hand. It's got to go hand in hand.”ML: “I’ll be watching.”LB: “I appreciate you.”ML: “Preciate ya. Have a good one.”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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Murkowski questions DEA role in rescheduling marijuana; still reviewing SAFER Banking
Sep 29, 202400:06:50Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)LISTEN: Laslo & MurkowskiAsk a Pol asks:Any thoughts on the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — rescheduling marijuana?Key Murkowski: “Well, do I think that this is a discussion that is worthy of debate here? Yeah,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski exclusively told Ask a Pol. “But, is it the DEA that moves to reschedule it? Do you wait for more states to move towards legalization? I will tell you, it has caused issues of complexity.”SAFER Banking Act?“Personally, I think that we've got enough issues in this country with substance use and abuse. And I did not support legalization in Alaska, but we have it,” Murkowski said. “Alaskans have spoken on it. And my job is to make sure that people who are engaged in this business are safe in their business as long as it's legal.”**Murkowski — and Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo… — still needs to study the updated SAFER Banking Act: “What is the R? What did the R do?”Clemency for past marijuana convictions?“I haven't looked at it,” Murkowski told us. “It's just kind of in a different space.” Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), slightly edited for clarity.Join Ask a Pol’s VIP Chat**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Lisa MurkowskiSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Sen. Murkowski as she’s about to hop the tram underneath the Capitol back to her office across the street, so we hitch a ride with her and chat cannabis policy. Matt Laslo: “How are you, ma'am?”Lisa Murkowski: “I’m good.”ML: “What do you make of the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”LM: “Well, do I think that this is a discussion that is worthy of debate here? Yeah. You look at all of the states, including Alaska, that has — we have fully legalized and have for some period of time now...”Murkowski says, “Hey” to someone exiting the tram. LM: “...but it's one of those that does — is it the DEA that moves to reschedule it? Do you wait for more states to move towards legalization? I will tell you, it has caused issues of complexity. There was a case in Alaska that just was announced probably about three weeks ago, and a fellow who has his own private pilot's license and his own plane was flying marijuana to other communities where — legal vendors — and he has had his FAA license pulled for life.”ML: “Really? Wow.”LM: “Permanent ban.”ML: “Wow.”LM: “So this is being appealed, but it’s…”He has since lost his appeal. ML: “That’s made him jobless.”Laslo nervously laughs.ML: “Wow.”LM: “Yeah. And it just kinda speaks to the complexities. I've been very focused on the SAFE Banking Act…”ML: “Have you written a letter on that pilot's behalf? Or are you just monitoring it?”LM: “We just kind of are in the monitoring phase right now. Again, while it's in process of litigation. But banking issues is one that we've been tracking for a long time. We've got all these vendors engaged in legal business…”Woman: “Hello.”LM: “Are you leaving me?”Woman: “Never.”LM: “Okay, good.”Murkowski and Laslo exit the tram and hop on an escalator. LM: “…and no safe place to bank. We had one credit union that tried really hard to figure out if there was a way that they could help facilitate safer banking. This was a challenge. It's just a challenge. And so do I think something needs to be done? Yeah.”ML: “Are you supportive of SAFER?”LM: “Personally, I think that we've got enough issues in this country with substance use and abuse, and I did not support legalization in Alaska. But we have it — Alaskans have spoken on it — and my job is to make sure that people who are engaged in this business are safe in their business as long as it's legal.”ML: “Are you supportive of SAFER as it is now?”LM: “Of?”ML: “The SAFER Banking Act?”LM: “The SAFE Banking Act.”ML: “Cause they put the R on the end.”LM: “Yeah, what is the R? What did the R do?”ML: “I don't really remember right now.”LM: “I don't remember either. I should know that. We should both know that.”ML: “Yeah.” LM: “Report on that in your story so I can read it.”ML: “Well, cause I think it had some of the stuff from the MORE Act, didn't it? If clemency becomes part of the debate, does that complicate SAFER? Would you be supportive of that?”Changes: SAFE v. SAFER Banking Act LM: “Oh, yeah. You know, it probably does complicate it, doesn't it? I mean, I think it brings in a completely different issue.”ML: “Yeah?”The senator sees some lost visitors at a banks of elevators under construction in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, so she guides them. LM: “What are you guys looking for?”Man #1: “The restaurant — to just grab a glass of water. Is that down?”LM: “Yeah.”ML: “Basement.” LM: “Go down one more.”Man #1: “Okay, thank you, appreciate it.”LM: “But I'm gonna go up with you.”Laslo laughs as the elevator heads up.Man #2: “You’re more than welcome to go with us.”Man #1: “We're gonna take you down before you get to go up.”LM: “Okay, all right. Your sign says you're going up.”Man #1: “Oh, does it?”LM: “Yeah.”Man #1: “Oh, maybe we are.”LM: “Six. Let's see. I think you've got B first, let's see what happens.”Man #2: “We might have come from B, so…”LM: “This is supposed to be a new elevator. It might be very confused.”Man #1: “Okay.”LM: “Are we moving? Ohh.”Man #1: “Oh, we're going up.”LM: “You can tell this is a new elevator. You can't even hardly feel it. The old ones would…”Sen. Murkowski imitates the sound of an old elevator.LM: “Right, right?”Man #2: “Yes, they would.”LM: “I scared you, didn't I?”All laugh.ML: “Flashbacks to the old ones.”LM: “All the way down to Garage — G.”Man #2: “G?”LM: “G. Right? Right, right. It's G.”Man #1: “G.”LM: “Yeah, go to G.”ML: “To your right.” Man #1: “G to get to the right corner?”LM: “Yes. Yes. There's a water fountain right here.”Man #1: “Yeah, we’re not gonna do that. We're in the water business.”LM: “Oh — okay.”Man #2: “We know better!” Our audio is free, but our time isn’t!Consider chipping in to support our independent journalism — Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer! ML: “So have you looked at clemency or is that a step too far?”LM: “I haven't.”ML: “You haven't looked at it?”LM: “I haven't looked at it, no.”ML: “There have been proposals.”LM: “No, yeah, I think, it's just kind of in a different space.”ML: “Yeah?”LM: “So, yeah.”ML: “I will be watching.”</p...
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Sen. Lindsey Graham: DEA rescheduling is "incentivizing more marijuana”
Sep 28, 202400:01:57Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) LISTEN: Laslo & GrahamAsk a Pol asks:What do you think about the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana?Key Graham: “I'm not a real big fan of that,” Sen. Lindsey Graham exclusively told Ask a Pol at the US Capitol. “I'm not a big fan of them doing that — incentivizing more marijuana.”SAFER Banking ActHave you looked at SAFER Banking Act? “No, but I need to,” Graham said. “Because you have different states doing different things. We gotta reconcile that problem, because it's still illegal under federal law.”You'd be open to SAFER? You just haven't studied it yet?“I'll look at it, get back to you,” Graham told Ask a Pol back in May.* “Okay?”*Graham’s talked to Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo a lot since then but still hasn’t gotten back to us. ICYMI: EXCLUSIVE — embattled Sen. Jon Tester on SAFER Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Lindsey GrahamSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo is alone waiting in the Senate basement when he spots Sen. Graham leaving the Capitol and walking back to his office on the concrete between the two underground Senate trams. Lindsey Graham: “How you?”Matt Laslo: “Livin’ the dream.”LG: “Good.”ICYMI — VIP perks *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “What did you make of DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”LG: “I'm not a real big fan of that.”ML: “Yeah?”LG: “Everything I've seen, you know — medical marijuana makes sense to me. You know, it seems to have medical quality — you know, purposes, in the right hands, I guess.”ML: “Yeah?”LG: “I'm not a big fan of them doing that — incentivizing more marijuana.”ML: “Have you been able to look at the SAFER Banking Act?”LG: “No, but I need to. Because you have different states doing different things. You know, we gotta reconcile that problem, because, you know, it's federal — it's banned, you know. It's still illegal under federal law.”Laslo laughs.ML: “Yeah, I know.”LG: “So yeah, we've got kind of a mess on our hands.”ML: “You'd be open to SAFER? You just haven't studied it yet?”LG: “I'll look at it, get back to you. Okay?”Graham attempts to walk off ahead, alone, but Laslo squeezes one last answer out of the senator. ML: “What do you make — kinda last question — what do you make of some Democrats calling for clemency for past marijuana convictions?”LG: “You know — let me think about that one too.”ML: “Yeah?”LG: “Okay. Thanks, alright.”ML: “Preciate ya, sir.”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. Lindsey Graham conflates America's war on drugs with the opioid epidemic
Mar 23, 202400:00:38Tap to summarizeWho?Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)Ask a Pol asks:Has there been any talk about the ‘war on drugs’ in relation to the border, specifically when it comes to the war on drugs destabilizing economies south of our border?Key Graham:“There’s some stuff in there about fentanyl in the border negotiations,” Graham told Ask a Pol. “There’s some fentanyl stuff.”LISTEN: Laslo & GrahamBelow find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Lindsey GrahamMatt Laslo: “Has there been any thinking or talk about the war on drugs in relation to the border?”Lindsey Graham: “There’s some stuff in there about fentanyl in the border negotiations.”ML: “But specifically when it comes to the war on drugs destabilizing the economies down there?”LG: “Yeah, there’s some fentanyl stuff.”ML: “Yeah?”Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. @Ask_a_Pol or @askpols 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.askapol.com/subscribe 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. Tuberville sees some medical benefits in marijuana but "I’m not for legalizing it, no"
Mar 16, 202400:00:39Tap to summarizePSST: All Ask a Pol AUDIO IS 100% FREE! If you can’t access our raw interviews, try going directly to our site (Ask a Pol dot com). For. Free. Contact us if you still can’t access it.Who?Sen. (Coach) Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) LISTEN: Laslo & TubervilleAsk a Pol asked:What’s your stance on marijuana?Key Tuberville: “I think it probably might help some people, you know, medically,” Tuberville told Ask a Pol. “But I’m not for legalizing it, no.” Caught our ear: “They wanna legalize all drugs,” Tuberville said. “But you’d oppose that?”“Yeah,” Tuberville said. Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Tommy TubervilleSCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Tuberville’s in the basement of the Capitol as he makes his way back to his office. He’s always joking — mocking, really! — with Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo.Audio: Laslo’s laughing after Tuberville made some quip that reminded him of cannabis. Matt Laslo: “I’ve never asked you about — what’s your stance on marijuana?”Tommy Tuberville: “Stance on marijuana? I think it probably might help some people, you know, medically.”ML: “Yeah?”TT: “But I’m not for legalizing it, no.”ML: “No? Have you seen the effort by some of your colleagues to — your Democratic colleagues — pushing the DEA to deschedule it or reschedule it on their own?”TT: “I haven’t seen that.”ML: “No?”TT: “I wouldn’t doubt it. They all want to legalize it. They wanna legalize all drugs.”ML: “But you’d oppose that?”TT: “Yeah.”ML: “Yeah? Preciate you, sir.”TT: “Alright. Thank you, brother.”ML: “Have a good one.”Matt Laslo’s covered drug policy for Playboy, Rolling Stone, VICE News Tonight, Daily Beast, VICE News, etc. He’s also a new media prof. & the founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapol.com/subscribe 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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Rep. Lou Correa on Biden admin. & marijuana: "They gotta reschedule it absolutely"
Mar 13, 202400:01:10Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA)Ask a Pol asks:“I hear that the DEA might move to reschedule cannabis next month. Have you heard that?”Key Correa:“No, but I hope that you’re right. I hope that that’s right. They gotta reschedule it absolutely,” Correa told Ask a Pol. “For a hundred different reasons. From the public safety perspective, from the societal perspective — that this should not be a criminal issue — and, of course, there are some medical properties to cannabis. Needs to be studied, and can you imagine the opportunities presented to universities that can begin to study cannabis for its medical properties without fearing losing federal funding? Gotta do it. The horse is out of the barn, you can’t put it back! Genie is out of the bottle!”LISTEN: Laslo & CorreaBelow find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Lou CorreaMatt Laslo: “You know what a birdie’s telling me?”Lou Correa: “What’s that?”Matt Laslo: “I hear that the DEA might move to reschedule cannabis next month. Have you heard that?”LC: “No, but I hope that you’re right. I hope that that’s right. They gotta reschedule it absolutely.”ML: “Why would that be important?”LC: “For a hundred different reasons. From the public safety perspective, from the societal perspective — that this should not be a criminal issue — and, of course, there are some medical properties to cannabis. Needs to be studied, and can you imagine the opportunities presented to universities that can begin to study cannabis for its medical properties without fearing losing federal funding? Gotta do it. The horse is out of the barn, you can’t put it back! Genie is out of the bottle!”ML: “But if Biden’s the horse, he’s in the barn cause he’s a prohibitionist.”Correa groans.LC: “Will have to talk to Mrs. Biden and tell her he’s got to get with the program.”ML: “Right? Appreciate ya. Have a good one.”Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapol.com/subscribe 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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Blumenauer on rumors DEA plans to reschedule marijuana: “I think it should be April 20th"
Mar 8, 202400:00:26Tap to summarizeWho?Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) — Founder & Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusAsk a Pol asks:We heard the DEA might reschedule marijuana on April 15th. Have you heard that?Key Blumenauer: “I think it should be April 20th,” Blumenauer tells Ask a Pol. Caught our ear:“There are lots of rumors,” Blumenauer says. “Lots of rumors.”Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward, and, please, link to us.LISTEN: Laslo & BlumenauerBelow find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Earl BlumenauerSCENE: Blumenauer’s walking through the Capitol alone ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Matt Laslo: “You know what a birdie told me? That the DEA might reschedule April 15th. Have you heard that?”Earl Blumenauer: “I think it should be April 20th.”ML: “I was wondering why that date was off! Have you heard that?”EB: “There are lots of rumors. Lots of rumors.”ML: “But you’re thinking, is it’s way past due?”Blumenauer nods his head ‘yes’ as he enters a restricted, Members Only area of the Capitol ahead of Thursday’s primetime address. ML: “Thank you, sir. Have a good evening.”Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. & founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. @Ask_a_Pol or @askpols This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapol.com/subscribe 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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