With the cannabis business growing into a $3 billion powerhouse almost overnight, more politicians have started to court the industry’s campaign contributions.
Four states and the District of Columbia have already legalized cannabis and 23 other states have eased restrictions signaling the nation is preparing for a change. The question remains how much of an impact will the industry eventually become and what influence will they be able to muster?
Currently, politicians have been put in a position of submission to take public stances on marijuana, a drug still identified to the federal government as a Schedule 1 and therefore of no redeeming value.
The National Cannabis Industry Association has become the second largest contributor to Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul’s piggy bank, in reference to OpenSecrets.org. Rand’s Super PACs have received even more contributions including $1.25 million from angel investor and marijuana rights activist Scott Banister.
The cannabis industry backs Rand Paul because of his promise to leave them alone. In his place as Kentucky senator Rand is the only candidate who has worked to reform pot laws including his sponsorship of a bill designed to abolish the federal war on medical marijuana.
He is actively dedicating his effort to reform the justice system to ensure non-violent drug related crimes do not send a citizen to jail for life, according to Green Rush Investors.
“I’m not really promoting legalization, but I am promoting making the penalties much less severe and not putting people in jail for 10, 20, 30 years. But I would let the states choose because I believe in federalism and states’ rights.”
Hillary Clinton came out against marijuana during the Democratic debate stating marijuana should remain against the law. He’s also publicly said he backs medicinal marijuana and is against the war on drugs.
Ben Carson has come out as a supporter of medical marijuana, yet has also said he’s against the recreational use and wants to continue the war on drugs.
Ted Cruz also favors the state’s rights to choose and has co-sponsored a bill to give judges more leniency in sentencing criminals for non-violent drug related crimes.
Carly Fiorina, who experienced a fatal incident with her step -daughter due to drug abuse, has come out against the legalization of marijuana, but she also supports the state’s right to choose.
Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal and Jim Gilmore have all come out against legalizing cannabis.
It’s unclear what Lindsey Graham’s position is, as the senator has made statements supporting medical marijuana, but then voted against it at least three times.
More than 53 percent of Americans support legalizing cannabis, including 68 percent of millennials, according to a recent Pew Research report.
The 2016 election will see the next president of the United States elected, however it may also usher in an increase of new states legalizing marijuana within their borders.
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