Tim Scott, a Republican senator from South Carolina, is the latest candidate to enter the race for 2024 Republican Presidential nomination. He will be competing against the current frontrunner of the party, former president Donald Trump.
Scott has a thin record on marijuana policy. While he was in the House of Representatives, Scott voted against a bill to protect state medical cannabis programs. His drug platform is largely focused on the relationship between opioid trafficking and border policies, which he believes to be a nexus.
The senator is the Republican ranking member on the Senate Banking Committee. He was present at a hearing in which he gave his opinion about a bipartisan proposal to protect financial institutions who work with cannabis businesses that are legalized by state law. He also said that he has “concerns”, in general, about the legalization effort.
In general, his position has been more muted than hostile. Other candidates for the party’s nomination as president, such as former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former South Carolina Governor Trump and Nikki Haley, both Republicans, have more experience on this issue.
Tim Scott, Republican presidential candidate, on marijuana:
Legislation and Policy Actions
Scott’s most significant legislative action on cannabis policy occurred during his tenure in the House. He voted to an amendment of the 2012 spending bill that was intended to protect state medical marijuana programs from federal interference.
Since joining the Senate, he’s not had many chances to vote on marijuana reforms. He hasn’t actively sought to sponsor or support any such legislation.
He did, however, cosponsor a drug policy-related resolution sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) that recognizes March 19-25, 2023 as “National Poison Prevention Week” and encourages communities to “raise awareness of the dangers of poisoning and promote poison prevention”–including the issues of “accidental edible cannabis ingestion” and “opioid and fentanyl misuse.”
Scott , at a Banking Committee Hearing in May 2023 discussed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act that will protect banks who work with state-licensed marijuana businesses.
He said: “I understand that we may all be at different points in terms of the legality or marijuana.” “In South Carolina, where I live, marijuana is still largely illegal. And that’s something I am concerned about.”
Scott , a former owner of a small business, said, “As a former financial institution, I appreciate and understand the importance of having a relationship with your financial institutions.” The banking relationship is essential to ensuring the safety and stability of a company and its employees, as well as customers.
He was concerned that the law could “create holes in our money-laundering laws, making it harder for criminals to traffic weapons, people, and fentanyl.”
Scott served as a member of the South Carolina House between 2009 and 2011, but did not take any drug policy measures during that time.
He does not appear to have taken part in a House Roll Call Vote in 2010, which approved an omnibus criminal justice bill that, among other provisions, removed cannabis possession from the list of offenses if a person’s previous possession conviction was more than five-years ago.
On the Campaign Trail
Scott does not seem to have discussed marijuana policy since he announced his candidacy in May 2023.
Previous Quotes and Social Media Posts
Scott stated that at the American Bankers Association Washington Summit, in March 2023 he expects to “see a resolution of the federal-state cannabis banking conflict in this Congress.”
He said that should address the SAFE Banking Act in regular order. This is “a very important decision” and not something to rush.
“There are Republicans that have come out in favor of the SAFE Act. “I’m not a Republican, but there’s a bipartisan group that wants to have an honest conversation about the problems it could solve,” he said. “And the question then is, does this legislation solve more problems than it causes harm?”
Scott said that Congress needs to tackle the larger debate on federal marijuana legalization. “We’re going have to wrestle with it as a country and as a Congress to get an answer.”
He said: “But I believe that there is a coalition of bipartisans who want to have this conversation. So, that’s good.” “Both sides are in favor of a regular order. That’s good news.” I believe we’ll reach a conclusion in this Congress.
The senator doesn’t use social media to discuss cannabis specifically, but he posts about other drug topics frequently, with a focus on illicit drug trafficking.
In May 2023 he announced that he was co-sponsoring legislation in this Congress to reduce fentanyl by enhancing executive and administrative enforcement powers and declaring it a national crisis.
Incoherent border policy by President Biden allows drug traffickers into our communities to bring in fentanyl.
The My FEND Off Fentanyl Act is designed to stop the flow of fentanyl in the U.S., by targeting the money used to fund the illegal activities of cartels. pic.twitter.com/6xNOoaq5rU
Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott 15 May 2023
He said that President Biden’s “incoherent” border policies were allowing drug traffickers into our communities to transport fentanyl.
Fentanyl killed the son of a friend.
This deadly drug is destroying South Carolina communities and others across the nation.
Now is the time to act! It’s for this reason that I have introduced the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, which will stop the flow of fentanyl in our country. pic.twitter.com/9VFuV2AZqw
Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott 8 May 2023
He said that President Biden mishandled our Southern border, and the drug crisis in America continued to worsen. “New federal data shows that the spread of illicit Fentanyl has had a devastating impact on our communities,” he said last year.
The drug crisis in our country continues to worsen because of President Biden’s mishandling at the Southern border. The impact of illicit fentanyl on the number of drug overdoses in our communities is shown by new federal data. https://t.co/YOmfuabmgt
Tim Scott (@votetimscott 13 May 2022
He also spoke about a bill that he had sponsored last year, which sought to prevent federal funds from being used to distribute paraphernalia for crack cocaine as part of a package to combat coronavirus.
It is absurd that we have to even discuss the possibility of federal funds funding crack pipe distributions. I’m proud to join my colleagues on a bill to ensure the Biden admin does not fuel dangerous drug addictions at the expense of American taxpayers.https://t.co/30OIfWIkTe
Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott 11 February 2022
He said: “It is absurd that we have to even discuss the possibility that federal funds could be used to distribute crack pipes.” “I am proud to work with my colleagues to pass a bill that will ensure the Biden administration does not fuel dangerous addictions to drugs at the expense to American taxpayers.”
Scott praised drug courts in South Carolina for their alternative sentencing models, saying that they were “essential” to lower recidivism rates, reunite families and make our communities safer.
South Carolina Drug Courts’ work is vital to lower recidivism rates, reunite families and make our communities safer. I was happy to be able to talk with the SC Association of Drug Court Professionals in Charleston this morning! pic.twitter.com/Qgod3NglVu
Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott 25 February 2019
Marijuana: My Personal Experience
Scott does not seem to have publicly shared any of his personal experiences with marijuana.
Marijuana Under A Scott Presidency
Scott’s limited record of cannabis policy actions and remarks leaves open questions as to how he will approach the issue, if elected President.
He hasn’t acted hostilely towards marijuana legislation. On the other hand, on a regular basis, he has expressed “concerns”, both about the legalization of marijuana and modest reforms like the SAFE Banking Act. He also voted against the protection of state medical cannabis laws. This at least gives the impression that he wouldn’t be a strong advocate for efforts to end the federal prohibition.
Asa Hutchinson, Presidential Candidate: Where Do You Stand On Marijuana
The first time Marijuana Moment was published, the post Tim Scott’s Marijuana Position appeared.
