Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican presidential candidate Vivek says he is in favor of federally legalizing cannabis and allowing veterans suffering from PTSD to take certain psychedelics. But his campaign has also attacked a Fox News article which suggested he was in favour of decriminalizing ‘certain hard drugs’ even though he had recently stated that the broader reforms would be an ‘important part’ of a broader strategy.
In response to a news report, Viek’s campaign stated on Monday that he was in favor of federal marijuana legalization. The current state-level “legalization” farce is contributing to the culture that encourages lawbreaking. It is literally against the law. “To pretend otherwise is to undermine the rule of law here in this country.”
Ramaswamy posted the following on social media as well: “I support the decriminalization of ayahuasca & ketamine to veterans suffering from PTSD in order to prevent an epidemic of fentanyl & suicidal thoughts.”
The 38-year old entrepreneur is making the statements as he tries to clarify his stance on drug policy after a Fox News article described him as a “breakaway from his party” for supporting decriminalization.
“When you hit the swamp, it strikes back,” he wrote in X, formerly Twitter, and dismissed the article as being “more planted garbage.”
More trash planted. I support decriminalizing ayahuasca & ketamine to help veterans with PTSD. This will prevent an epidemic of fentanyl & suicidal thoughts. It is pathetic that Establishment politicians are substituting lies for a clear message. When you strike the swamp, the swamp… https://t.co/NHrQ2lxadb
Vivek RAMASWAMY (@VivekGRamaswamy ) 15 August 2023
Ramaswamy, who claimed to be the victim of media smears, did not, however, specify which parts of the Fox Report were inaccurate. While his campaign’s remarks to Fox News clarified the position he took on marijuana, they did not address any of his other drug comments.
In a recent interview Ramaswamy described decriminalization repeatedly as “important” in a more comprehensive policy on drugs, highlighting his belief that tighter border control and reduced U.S. drug demand are also crucial.
“I think in the long run–and I’m talking about over a long run period of time–decriminalization, serially, is an important part of the long-run solution here,” he said during an appearance in late June at the Porcupine Freedom Festival (PorcFest) in New Hampshire.
Ramaswamy told the audience that he is skeptical about prohibition and “not someone who believes in a war on drugs.”
He also emphasized the availability of psychedelics for those who suffer from mental health issues.
“I am probably the only one in modern history of my party who is willing to have a discussion about it, at least for veterans.” Ramaswamy suggested that we start with PTSD. There is good evidence to support the use of psychedelics from ayahuasca up to ketamine. You could have a rational discussion about giving people off-ramps.
Other GOP politicians have come out recently in support of easing restrictions on psychedelics. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-TX, for example, described his experience with ibogaine as “one of my greatest experiences.”
Ramaswamy said, “I personally have a number of parents who have lost children, and I have it on good authority that their children could have survived if they had taken an alternative route.”
He also stated in the same interview that the U.S. needed to improve border protections to stop the importation of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, from Mexico and China. He said that many of those who died from fentanyl thought they were using a different drug, such as weed or Percocet. “In reality, a lot kids get it via Snapchat, Percocet or directly from Mexican drug cartels who cross the border.
Ramaswamy stated that “decriminalization” is an important component of the solution to the problem.
Prior to his comments in support of federal legalization on Monday, the GOP candidate had said that he was in favor of a more limited decriminalization.
He said, “I believe it should be criminalized,” during a recent appearance on the Cartier Family’s YouTube channel. “It’s a farce to have a local regime that decriminalizes it while the federal government just nods and winks, looking the other way. We have to keep up with the times. “It’s not popular in the Republican Party, but, as I said before, I had no choice but to speak the truth.”
Some GOP presidential candidates are more cautious about the legalization of marijuana at the federal level.
The former president Donald Trump has simultaneously referred to cannabis as “a popular thing” while contending that “it does damage.”
“Canada went all the way [with legalization], other countries also did. He said in a recent Newsmax interview that some countries will not do it. “But I will look at the final results.” “But indications are this is not very helpful.”
DeSantis said, in June, that if he were elected , he would not decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. He expressed concern about the potency and the potential for products to be laced, despite the lack of evidence. He said that if you did anything with it, “it could be badnight right there and then.” “You could be dead just by eating that, so that is problematic.”
Mike Pence was the vice president of Trump’s administration. He has been against marijuana for years and has opposed any incremental reform. Pence claims that cannabis is an entryway to other illicit drugs. He pushed Indiana’s legislature to criminalize illicit substances, saying the state “leaned into the war against drugs”.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie claimed, in June, that , if he were elected, he would “end the drug war”, but only partially. He wants to concentrate on treatment and has a harsher approach for drug dealers. He said, “You bet the dealers making money from this should be punished,” during a CNN Townhall. Christie is still opposed to the legalization marijuana and calls tax revenue generated by regulated sales “blood money”.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for the Democratic Party and took a shot at DeSantis’ opposition to reform. If elected, he said , “I will decriminalize marijuana at the federal level.” Later, he declined to smoke a joint alongside comedian Bill Maher.
Kennedy’s position on decriminalization aligns him with President Joe Biden who also supports decriminalization, allowing the states to determine their own cannabis laws. One top official told Marijuana Moment that he hoped to complete the review of marijuana’s federal schedule by year’s end.
Biden Admin Has No Record Of Marijuana Letter Cited By DEA Head In Congressional Testimony
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