A Republican senator says he supports creating a “comprehensive regulatory framework that treats marijuana just like tobacco,” arguing that “the federal government needs to figure out a safe way to allow this market to occur.”
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) shared his perspective on cannabis policy issues in an interview with Green Market Report that was published on Tuesday. He was asked about a bipartisan marijuana banking bill and ongoing rescheduling efforts, but took the opportunity to share his broader views on what needs to happen with federal cannabis laws.
The senator said he feels the reason the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act that cleared committee last September is “not moving” further to a floor vote is because “we’re not taking a look at the broader issue.”
Tillis voiced concerns about public safety issues with vaping products and the presence of illicit grow operations in states that have enacted legalization. But rather than cite those concerns as justification for prohibition, he instead argued that those problems underscore why “we need a comprehensive approach to this” that involves federal regulation.
“Banking, to me, is one thing we should consider—but not until we have a federal framework that states can choose to opt into or out of,” he said. “There’s a lot of bad happening in plain sight that we have to end, and then let states to choose to legalize it for better medical use or for recreational use” via the legislature or ballot process.
H/T: www.marijuanamoment.net
