A North Carolina congressman introduced legislation on Friday that seeks to cut a portion from federal funding for individual U.S. States as well as Native Tribes who legalize marijuana.
The Stop Pot Act sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-NC, would deny federal highway funding in jurisdictions where “the purchase or public use of marijuana for recreational uses is legal.” This bill was introduced less than one week before the tribe of Edwards’s native state votes on a referendum to legalize adult-use marijuana.
Edwards claims that laws in states and tribes allowing adults to use cannabis are a violation of U.S. law.
In a press statement, he stated that “the laws of any government shouldn’t infringe upon the overall laws in our nation and federal funds shouldn’t be awarded to jurisdictions who willfully disregard federal law.” The Stop Pot Act is a welcome step in preventing the spread of drugs, reducing the burden on local law enforcement, and relieving the mental health professionals.
I have just introduced the Stop Pot Act in order to protect WNC and our mountain communities, as well as federal laws.
Please read the following information. #nc11 #ncpolhttps://t.co/rLdr3rWSYc
— Congressman Chuck Edwards (@RepEdwards) September 1, 2023
Edwards preview the bill in an op/ed that was published in Cherokee One Feather last month, in which he warned a tribal group in his state, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, against adult-use legalization. EBCI members will vote on Thursday for a referendum to legalize cannabis for all adults over 21 regardless of tribal affiliation.
The congressman wrote: “I consider the tribe to be my friends and I respect their sovereignty as a tribal group.” He said that allowing North Carolinians on tribal land to purchase cannabis would be irresponsible. I will stop this.
Richard Sneed, the Principal Chief of EBCI, has described Edwards’s remarks as “a major political blunder.”
Sneed , writing in Cherokee One Feather said that he believes Edwards has “overstepped his power,” noting the fact that Edwards is “a non Indian, elected official, telling a sovereign tribe nation how to handle their own business.”
The bill that Edwards and Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-NC, cosponsored would not only target Indigenous people living in Edwards’ home state, but also other states. This would be a blow to the states where nearly half of Americans reside, as well as tribes who have started marijuana-related businesses in other states.
According to Edwards ‘s release , two organizations have so far endorsed the bill: the prohibitionist Smart Approaches to Marijuana and the Christian Action League.
Kevin Sabet is the president and CEO of SAM. In a press release released by Edwards’ office, Sabet said that today’s marijuana “isn’t Woodstock Weed,” in reference to a outdoor music festival that was held 54 years earlier. It is often packaged in child-friendly packaging and has potencies up to 88 per cent. Legalization has worsened America’s mental health crisis and addiction crisis, by preying on young people and communities of color.
It is important to note that no state in the United States where cannabis is legal permits products to be sold to children. Other recent research indicates that marijuana users may experience psychosis, despite some evidence to the contrary.
Below, you can read the entire text of U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards’ Stop Pot Act of 2020:
Photo by Chris Wallis/Side Pocket Images.
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The article A GOP congressman’s bill would cut federal funding for states and tribes that legalize marijuana first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
