Categories: Politics

Fetterman highlights need for ‘safe, pure, taxed’ marijuana in 4/20 push to legalize weed

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., made his case for marijuana legalization ahead of April 20, known as a holiday of sorts for those who enjoy smoking or otherwise consuming the drug. 

“Right now, we’re doing this interview in Washington, D.C., and right now I could leave [and] go buy marijuana legally,” Fetterman told Fox News Digital in an interview on Friday. He compared the capital’s policy on the drug to that of his home state Pennsylvania, which only allows residents to legally use marijuana for medicinal purposes. 

“Pennsylvanians wanted this five years ago,” he claimed, recalling his time campaigning throughout the state. “We’re still not there.”

SENATE PASSES FISA SURVEILLANCE TOOL RENEWAL MINUTES AFTER MIDNIGHT DEADLINE

Sen. John Fetterman pushed for legalization and de-sheduling of marijuana ahead of Cannabis holiday 4/20. (Getty Images)

Fetterman noted that most of the states surrounding the Keystone State had already made the drug legal for adults. “It’s not complicated. Other states have done that,” he said. 

Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, which surround Pennsylvania, have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use in small amounts. 

The origins of 4/20’s association with marijuana are not agreed on, but it has been speculated that the holiday could have started in several ways. Some theorize that the number 420 was used by police to reference the drug, while others point to Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” noting that when the numbers are multiplied they equal 420. Despite the various theories, there does not appear to be consensus on how the day began. 

GOP LAWMAKERS SLAM BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S NEW TITLE IX PROTECTIONS FOR ‘GENDER IDENTITY’

Fetterman emphasized that safety is heightened when marijuana is regulated.  (David McNew/Getty Images)

“It needs to be safe, pure, taxed and available,” Fetterman said, explaining that illegally purchased versions of the drug are difficult to trace and could be cut with dangerous substances, such as fentanyl.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, marijuana in small amounts has been made legal for recreational use by adults in 24 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and two U.S. territories. 

“Any adult should be allowed to do that legally without any criminal … blowback,” the Pennsylania senator said. 

REPUBLICANS ACCUSE BIDEN, SCHUMER OF EMBOLDENING IRAN PRIOR TO ATTACK ON ISRAEL

Fetterman said he has pushed Biden for action on marijuana. (Getty Images)

Fetterman told Fox News Digital that he has encouraged President Biden directly to take federal steps towards “liberalizing” the drug. 

He has also lobbied Biden to deschedule marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), under which the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) currently lists it as schedule I. This schedule includes drugs “with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Marijuana is included in the list of schedule I substances, alongside heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy, and peyote, among others. 

Fetterman stressed he doesn’t believe “anyone [should] have their lives impacted criminally for a nonviolent marijuana charge.”

‘CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY’ OF SENATE DEMS QUASHING MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL QUESTIONED BY EXPERTS

Several states have yet to legalize the drug recreationally. (© DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK)

As for illegal markets that still exist in states where marijuana has been legalized, he noted that no states have implemented the policy perfectly, “but I think you’ll see that that will continue to evolve.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Marijuana is going to continue” to become cheaper as policy develops, and “that will absolutely eliminate any of [those] illegal markets,” he claimed. 

The senator also emphasized the bipartisan nature of efforts to reform marijuana policy. “Republicans want legal weed. Democrats want legal weed,” he said. “And I think this is a [place] where we could come together in a bipartisan way to say, ‘Look, let’s do this and just get on with it.'” 

Share

Recent Posts

Talk in 2 languages with Apple Watch’s real-time translation

Imagine strolling through the bustling streets of Tokyo ordering a delicious bowl of ramen or…

2 hours ago

California coastal enclave near sanctuary city tries to ‘Newsom-proof’ itself

close Video Illegal immigration is not just illegal, it’s ‘dangerous,’ CA mayor says Newport Beach,…

4 hours ago

Trump hit for hiring loyalists like Pam Bondi: Doesn’t every president do that?

It’s spat out like a dirty word. Donald Trump – take a deep breath –…

4 hours ago

Democratic official drunkenly slurs, flaunts government position during DUI arrest: video

close Video Cook County Democratic official slurs, flaunts position during DUI arrest Cook County Board…

8 hours ago

Oregon hiker, 61, vanishes with her 2 dogs

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 26 Fox News Flash top headlines…

8 hours ago

TD Bank’s historic $3B money laundering case rocks financial world as more charges possible

close Video DOJ busts Chinese nationals working with drug cartels for laundering money Steve Murphy,…

8 hours ago