WASHINGTON, D.C. — Smart Approaches to Marijuana President, Kevin Sabet, released the following statement today in response to President Donald Trump’s remarks at a White House press briefing, where the President confirmed that his administration is “looking at” a proposal to reclassify marijuana under federal law and expects to make a decision in the “next few weeks.”
“President Trump stated that he has heard a lot of bad things about marijuana. And for good reason. Cities that have legalized marijuana have seen crime explode. In Colorado, the first state to legalize, many communities saw property crime increase by more than 1,000% from being near pot shops. Rescheduling marijuana will mean more crime, more homelessness, and more destruction of mental health. The next generation of Americans must be strong and empowered to reach the most of their potential.
“Rescheduling does not legalize marijuana. But it gives the Big Weed oligarchy a multi-billion-dollar tax break (by exempting them from the federal 280E provision) so they can peddle more high-octane THC products that give our kids and your young adults schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness. It should also be noted that many “state-licensed” marijuana stores are fronts for Chinese and other foreign cartels. Rescheduling, therefore, will roll out a giant welcome mat to all the dangerous criminal elements this administration is trying to stop.
“The President should consider that no major law enforcement association supports scheduling marijuana down to III, because it is a public safety and public health nightmare. States that have legalized the drug have launched a panoply of cartel violence, Chinese CCP influence, and mental health carnage. President Trump, keep marijuana in Schedule I, and keep all Americans safe.”
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