Marijuana Moment: GOP Lawmakers Slam Marijuana Legalization Vote Planned In Congress This Week

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Numerous Republican members of Congress are blasting House Democrats over a planned vote on a bill to federally legalize marijuana this week, dismissing the significance of the issue and arguing that it’s an inappropriate time to take it up.

Specifically, most critics of the vote are saying that the House shouldn’t take action on the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act until additional coronavirus relief is passed.

The seemingly coordinated messaging from GOP members is familiar, as minority party members issued the same criticism when House leadership announced their intention to vote on the MORE Act in December.

There was an earlier push to take action on the bill in September, but that plan was postponed following pushback from certain centrist Democrats who worried about the optics of advancing cannabis reform before passing another COVID-19 relief bill. It should also be noted that several of those same lawmakers ended up losing their seats on the same Election Day as voters in conservative states approved marijuana legalization ballot measures, calling into question their strategic thinking on the politics of cannabis.

In any case, House Democrats did pass coronavirus legislation—on two occasions—that included provisions to protect banks that service state-legal marijuana businesses from being penalized by federal regulators. Republicans also sharply criticized that, asserting that it was not germane.

Advocates expressed frustration over the decision to delay the initially planned vote on the MORE Act, but leadership promised that it would be brought up before the year’s end. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced last month that the chamber would consider the bill in December, and it was included in the schedule for this week.

The House Rules Committee will take up the MORE Act on Wednesday to prepare it for floor action. The panel will decide which submitted amendments can be made in order for floor action, which could then come as soon as Thursday. The most notable proposed change in an amendment filed by leadership concerns the tax structure of the bill.

But despite this movement—and the fact that a majority of Americans support marijuana legalization—more than two dozen Republican lawmakers and incoming members have attempted to shame Democrats for pursuing the reform at this time.

Here’s a roundup of what GOP lawmakers are saying about the planned cannabis vote:

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

This week, your House Democrat majority is tackling the tough issues by holding a vote on legalizing pot and banning tiger ownership.

Nothing for small businesses.
Nothing for re-opening schools.
Nothing on battling the pandemic.

Just cannabis and cats.

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) November 30, 2020

Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA)

Let me get this straight:

Nancy Pelosi is blocking a bill to deliver unused Paycheck Protection Program funds to workers and small businesses.

But she managed to find time for a vote on pot legislation this week.

RT to tell Dems to quit blocking aid for Americans in need NOW!

— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) November 30, 2020

House Republican Conference

Democrats are bringing the House back into session to…

Legalize marijuana?

And…

Ban the private ownership of lions and tigers?

You read that right.

THOSE are the Democrats’ priorities right now — not COVID and small business relief that the American people actually need.

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) December 1, 2020

Small businesses are struggling.

American families need our help.

People are counting on Congress to act.

Yet, Nancy Pelosi is bringing the House back… to vote on marijuana legislation and legislation from “Tiger King” for exotic animal protection. pic.twitter.com/jx0Tjh3zRe

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) December 1, 2020

Senate Republican Conference

Good morning!

Let's check in on Nancy Pelosi's plans for the week:

✓ Legalize marijuana

✓ Ban tiger ownership

✓ Ban lion ownership

…. does she know there's a global pandemic…? pic.twitter.com/a6oW9zirIF

— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) December 1, 2020

Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Sen. John Barrasso R-WY)

“I don’t know exactly what’s in that bill, but that is the priority of the House right now. I don’t know if it has to do with decriminalization, legalization of marijuana, making it easier for our kids to get marijuana in our neighborhoods. Whatever it is, that is today’s priority of the incredibly shrinking Nancy Pelosi-run House of Representatives.”

Conference Chairman @SenJohnBarrasso:

What is the House of Representatives doing this week?

I looked into it.

It's the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment Act.

That is today's priority in the *incredibly shrinking* Nancy Pelosi-run House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/E44HcnpLQa

— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) December 1, 2020

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA)

Rent is due today, and Nancy Pelosi & Chuck Schumer are focused on legalizing marijuana and outlawing the Tiger King.

Spare us the gaslighting. https://t.co/HkQeMFfXvh

— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) December 1, 2020

.@SpeakerPelosi's agenda this week:

✓ Legalizing marijuana

✓ Banning tiger & lion ownership

✓ Blocking PPP Funding

Small businesses & employers are hurting and Pelosi is prioritizing marijuana & tigers.

Americans deserve better.

— Senator Kelly Loeffler (@SenatorLoeffler) December 1, 2020

Rep. Mark Green (R-TN)

This week, @HouseDemocrats decided the most pressing issue facing our country is decriminalizing marijuana…

— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) November 30, 2020

Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC)

As workers struggle, Nancy Pelosi is wasting our time with marijuana legislation.

The clearest example yet of her warped priorities. https://t.co/17U4MLXIlk

— Rep. Ted Budd (@RepTedBudd) November 30, 2020

Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ)

There is still over $130+ billion available in the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses to use, but Speaker Pelosi is prioritizing passing marijuana legislation this week. We should be focused on supporting our workers & businesses right now – it is time to reopen the #PPP. https://t.co/99LB0Qkpla

— Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) November 30, 2020

Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR)

Speaker Pelosi continues to block releasing unused #PaycheckProtectionProgram funds, which would help small businesses and workers.

Appropriations work is far from finished.

The critical NDAA awaits completion.

Yet, House Dems are prioritizing a cannabis bill this week… https://t.co/2pX5YoEvaW

— Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) November 30, 2020

Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA)

“While I welcome the debate on federal criminal statutes governing marijuana use, possession, and distribution, I believe it is the wrong time for the House to utilize such precious time discussing a bill with no path forward rather than delivering results for the American people who continue to struggle during this pandemic.”

Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX)

There is over $130 BILLION left in the PPP and instead of delivering additional funding to Main Street, Speaker Pelosi is prioritizing a cannabis bill…

This is a slap in the face for hardworking Americans. https://t.co/PKodi17Hzp

— Rep. Roger Williams (@RepRWilliams) December 1, 2020

Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN)

There's still over $130 billion left in the PPP, but Speaker Pelosi continues to block legislation that would release these unused funds.

Instead of delivering much needed relief, Speaker Pelosi is prioritizing a cannabis bill this week.

Americans deserve better. https://t.co/QMhImxHxfu

— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber) December 1, 2020

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

4⃣0⃣

That is how many times House Dems have blocked our effort to give small businesses access to the over $130B in unspent funds that remain in the Paycheck Protection Program.

This week, House Dems felt that voting on tigers & marijuana took priority over aid for small biz. https://t.co/cufbzPwhvo

— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) December 1, 2020

We are 25 days away from Christmas & small businesses are struggling.

Aid for small businesses & workers should be our #1 priority but House Dems have other priorities: marijuana & tigers.

Meanwhile, our efforts to get aid for small biz have been blocked 40 times by House Dems.

— Chuck Fleischmann (@RepChuck) December 1, 2020

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL)

I urge all of my colleagues to vote No on this legislation and prevent the widespread production and use of marijuana.

— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) December 1, 2020

Rep. David McKinley (R-VA)

Instead of voting to unlock $130B in unused #PaycheckProtectionProgram funds for American small businesses, Speaker Pelosi prioritized a vote on a cannabis bill this week.

West Virginia families, workers, & small businesses cannot wait any longer. They're counting on us to act! https://t.co/pFzrMGRoHc

— David B. McKinley (@RepMcKinley) December 1, 2020

Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX)

Pelosi is wasting another valuable legislative week to stimulate the marijuana industry and ignore hardworking American families and American paychecks. https://t.co/gv2v4DdO5V

— U.S. Representative Bill Flores (@RepBillFlores) December 1, 2020

Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)

Things @SpeakerPelosi brought members back to vote on:
Legalizing marijuana
Tiger King legislation

Things we aren't voting on:
More PPP funding
COVID-19 relief
Military funding
Funding for the entire federal government

It's clear where Democrats' priorities lie.

— Rep. Bruce Westerman (@RepWesterman) December 1, 2020

Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL)

We are in the middle of a health pandemic and many Americans are hurting. What has @SpeakerPelosi scheduled for a vote this week?

Bills to legalize marijuana and ban tiger ownership. And they wonder why they lost so many House seats…#MisalignedPriories https://t.co/RBRcdhQyo3

— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) December 1, 2020

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY)

she wants the House to vote on the legalization of marijuana. It's time for the Speaker to work for the American people, not her own liberal agenda. (2/2)https://t.co/xYx31jC1Yb

— Rep. Andy Barr (@RepAndyBarr) December 1, 2020

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)

At a time when small business are closing daily & Americans continue to lose their jobs, what's Speaker Pelosi’s priority?

Unfortunately, it's not securing critical aid… it's marijuana.

Her first aid package mentioned "marijuana" more than "jobs" & now this. This is nonsense. https://t.co/Ivxi84is9A

— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) December 1, 2020

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)

This week the House is voting on tigers and marijuana legislation but nothing to help small businesses who are struggling. Once again, Speaker Pelosi's misplaced priorities are hurting Michigan workers and job creators. https://t.co/iTU8DplHYI

— Rep Tim Walberg (@RepWalberg) December 1, 2020

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL)

On the agenda for the House this week:
Legalizing marijuana
Exotic animals

Not on the agenda:
Assistance for small businesses
#COVID19 relief funding

Democrat priorities clearly do not include the American people or economic recovery. https://t.co/4degQwuqad

— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) December 1, 2020

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)

Small businesses are still struggling and Americans still need help in the face of this pandemic.

But rather than advancing sensible legislation to help the American people, Speaker Pelosi is choosing to…

…ban tigers and legalize marijuana.

Americans deserve better.

— Rep. Vicky Hartzler (@RepHartzler) December 1, 2020

Rep. John Joyce (R-PA)

Americans are in a fight to save lives and livelihoods – and Speaker Pelosi is wasting time on legislation to legalize marijuana.

The Democrats' out of touch agenda is evidence that they have abandoned American families, workers, farmers, and small businesses. pic.twitter.com/H9qAl53l7C

— John Joyce (@RepJohnJoyce) December 1, 2020

Rep. Fred Keller (R-PA)

Back in May, House Dems rammed through a far-left "recovery package" that included the word "cannabis" more than "economy" or "jobs."

This week, the Speaker is holding a vote on recreational weed.

It seems like Nancy Pelosi cares more about Americans getting high than hired. https://t.co/zzQ80cluvl

— Congressman Fred Keller (@RepFredKeller) December 1, 2020

Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)

As we continue to combat the pandemic, instead of bringing forward COVID-19 relief legislation to help small businesses or schools, this week House Democrats are prioritizing two bills to:
legalize marijuana
ban tiger ownership

You can’t make this stuff up!

— Rick W. Allen (@RepRickAllen) December 1, 2020

Rep. French Hill (R-AR)

While Arkansans and Americans suffer, @HouseGOP is working to build a #COVID19 relief package.

Instead of working with us to extend the #bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program, @SpeakerPelosi is putting a bill to legalize #marijuana on the House Floor for a vote.#GetSerious pic.twitter.com/T5ewSpMaiK

— French Hill (@RepFrenchHill) December 1, 2020

Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS)

The Paycheck Protection Program was, and can still be, a lifeline for small businesses struggling from the impacts of COVID-19. Speaker Pelosi should put her marijuana and tiger-ban bills on hold & focus on addressing the real needs of Americans. pic.twitter.com/MvltnNOHjH

— Cong. Steven Palazzo (@CongPalazzo) December 1, 2020

Rep.-elect Barry Moore (R-AL)

@SpeakerPelosi and #Democrats first bill after the election is legalized marijuana and exotic tigers! Nothing to help #AmericaFirst businesses and #PPP we have a 139 billion unused $ in the cares act. We could release to help these struggling communities @FoxNews @MSNBC @OANN

— Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) December 1, 2020

Rep.-elect Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

.@SpeakerPelosi
called the house back in session today to vote on marijuana legalization.

Liberals are prioritizing their wish lists over relief for our small businesses.

Retweet if you think she should resign immediately

— Diana Harshbarger (@DHarshbargerTN1) December 1, 2020

For the record, the spattering of references to the Netflix documentary “Tiger King” are about a separate piece of legislation the House is set to vote on that would restrict private ownership of tigers and other big cats.

United Nations To Vote On Marijuana Rescheduling And CBD Issues This Week, With U.S. Backing Some Reforms

Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.

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