Ask a Pol Drugs exclusive: Cannabis Caucus Co-chair seeking state "exemptions" from new hemp THC ban

Nov 23

Written By Matt Laslo

Screengrab of Matt Laslo exclusive for new media news outlet www.AskaPolDrugs.com

Who?

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis Caucus

LISTEN: Laslo & Omar

Ask a Pol asks:

Now that the federal government’s re-opened and Speaker Mike Johnson gaveled the US House of Representatives back into session, has there been any chatter of the broadly bipartisan SAFER Banking Act?

Key Omar:

“No. Right now, we’re trying to see if we can get exemptions for states that have already rolled out their hemp policies,” Rep. Ilhan Omar tells Ask a Pol Drugs. “So much of our economy, it’s already absorbing the hemp industry, and it’s just going to be a tragedy for the industries that already exist in states like Minnesota.”

Caught our ear:

“Before we circulate a letter to the administration, we’re trying to gauge interest,” Omar says.

DIVE DEEPER: Listen to full interview or read transcript at Ask a Pol Drugs on Substack.

Matt Laslo

Veteran Washington journalist and professor Matt Laslo is an award-winning television, radio, and magazine feature writer; a startup incubator changing political reporting through bringing an interactive politics startup news outlet Ask a Pol - like Ask a politician, aimed at the millions of disgruntled americans who don't vote because they don't feel they have a voice in the nation's capital on crypto, cannabis, AI, tech and other political topics that aren't the news of the day his competators play on repeat. Laslo's unique and a force on Capitol Hill. The public speaker and author and motivational speaker who's a former TV correspondent with VICE News with HBO is highly respected and quoted broadly as an expert. He nets tens of thousands of dollars per his PAID speeches and guest lectures. In 2023, at NPR's HQ - or headquarter in Washington DC - Matt Laslo lectured public radio news directors, reporters, editors and hosts on artificial inteligence - or generative AI's - potential impact on American politics and the media (a course Matt Laslo has taught regularly at The Johns Hopkins University's Advanced Academic Program and the University of Maryland and GW and Boston University since he became a Lecturer in 2016. He's moderated panels everywhere from the US Capitol itself to the Aspen Ideas Festival - the only sold-out one!!!! cause he's energetic, smart, witty, funny and fun. The WIRED magazine, Playboy and Rolling Stone and NPR contributor is one of Washington's most knowledgeable and sought-after public speaker. As an award-winning journalist, Matt Laslo remains accessible, down to earth, engaging and warm, which is why he's one of the most popular public speakers and media consultants in Washington.

https://mattlaslo.com