“We should not be handing tax breaks to bad actors and foreign drug cartels to advertise a drug that will harm Americans.”
Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order that would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a lower classification, easing federal restrictions on the substance:
“Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III substance and putting more money in the pockets of marijuana companies is a shortsighted policy decision that will have detrimental effects on the health and safety of Americans, especially our nation’s youth. The negative health impacts of marijuana are numerous and well-documented—increased risk of heart attack, stroke, psychotic disorders, addiction, and hospitalization. Marijuana use contributes significantly to deadly traffic and workplace accidents, and with this action, our Department of Transportation will be unable to conduct testing for marijuana—even for America’s pilots and truck drivers. We should not be handing tax breaks to bad actors and foreign drug cartels to advertise a drug that will harm Americans.”
BUDD LEADS SENATE LETTER OPPOSING MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING
Yesterday, Senator Budd led 21 of his Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider rescheduling marijuana. The full text of that letter is available HERE and below:
“We write to ask you to uphold marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug. Rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug will undermine your strong efforts to Make America Great Again and to usher in America’s next economic Golden Age. The only winners from rescheduling will be bad actors such as Communist China, while Americans will be left paying the bill.
“Marijuana continues to fit the definition of a Schedule I drug due to its high potential for abuse and its lack of an FDA-approved use. The evidence shows that marijuana is harmful to its users, especially to young people and women who are pregnant and nursing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, studies show that marijuana is linked to “depression, anxiety, suicide planning, and psychotic episodes.” Tragically, mass shootings have a link to marijuana use, including school shootings; in fact, the shooter who attacked a Catholic school in Minneapolis blamed his actions on “gender and weed” and wrote, “I wish I never tried experimenting with either.” Additionally, marijuana has long-term effects on brain health, including “permanent IQ loss” when a person starts using marijuana at a young age. Lastly, babies are also at risk from marijuana, as marijuana use during pregnancy may result in “fetal growth restriction, premature birth, stillbirth, and problems with brain development, resulting in hyperactivity and poor cognitive function.”
“We cannot reindustrialize America if we encourage marijuana use. America’s workplace and America’s roads are endangered by marijuana use. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified studies linking marijuana use to “impaired judgment” and “lack of concentration,” as well as research finding increases in industrial accidents, injuries, and absenteeism among employees who tested positive for marijuana versus those who tested negative. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that marijuana users are more likely to be involved with car crashes and studies show that marijuana impacts motor skills, cognitive functions, and user’s ability to multitask, which is a “critical skill” for drivers.
“Rescheduling would also give a massive tax break to marijuana companies. These companies are currently prohibited from taking business tax deductions under Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code due to their involvement with marijuana, given its status as a Schedule I drug. According to the marijuana industry’s own researchers, marijuana companies would obtain a $2.3 billion tax break if marijuana were to be rescheduled. Marijuana business leaders have said they will use this infusion of funds to increase their marketing and to expand their businesses into additional states. While supporters of rescheduling argue that extending tax benefits to marijuana businesses will create economic growth, the costs of workplace and vehicular accidents caused by increased marijuana usage far exceeds any perceived benefits—not to mention the moral costs of marijuana advertising that could reach kids.
“In light of the documented dangers of marijuana, facilitating the growth of the marijuana industry is at odds with growing our economy and encouraging healthy lifestyles for Americans. We urge you to continue your strong leadership of our country and our economy, and to turn away from marijuana rescheduling.”
Joining Senator Budd in sending this letter were Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (R- W.Va.), James Lankford (R- Okla.), Roger Marshall (R- Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R- Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R- Ala.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R- Tenn.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Crapo (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
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