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brooklynite

(93,879 posts)
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:24 PM Nov 2018

Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Once Staunchly Anti-Marijuana, Changes His Position

Source: Roll Call

One of the staunchest opponents of marijuana decriminalization in Congress, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, changed course on Tuesday, endorsing nationwide legalization in a Boston Globe editorial.

“I believe we must implement strong, clear, and fair federal guidelines. To do that requires us to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and legalize it at the federal level,” the Massachusetts congressman wrote, citing its value to public health and racial inequities in how laws on pot are enforced.

While Kennedy bemoaned the patchwork of state marijuana laws across the U.S., he wrote that “our federal policy on marijuana is badly broken.”

That stance represents a reversal for the 4th District Democrat, who voted against a 2015 provision to claw back the powers of the Department of Justice to pursue medical marijuana businesses in states that have legalized them.

Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/rep-joe-kennedy-iii-staunchly-anti-marijuana-changes-position

19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Once Staunchly Anti-Marijuana, Changes His Position (Original Post) brooklynite Nov 2018 OP
I read that as, yup, he's running. SunSeeker Nov 2018 #1
I read it the same way Renew Deal Nov 2018 #2
Good for him NewJeffCT Nov 2018 #3
Thanks for calling me the 'younger generation ' pbmus Nov 2018 #7
Good for him! I've known quite a few... WePurrsevere Nov 2018 #4
Excellent DownriverDem Nov 2018 #5
Very happy to see him saying this ! logosoco Nov 2018 #6
Cannabis. "Marijuana" has a strong wiff of Anslinger's racism. Bernardo de La Paz Nov 2018 #8
Great to hear! rollin74 Nov 2018 #9
Is he still anti-vax or am I thinking of another Kennedy? n t Laffy Kat Nov 2018 #10
Robert Jr. The Mouth Nov 2018 #16
The anti-vax asshat is Robert Kennedy Jr, his uncle nt smb Nov 2018 #17
Sad to see Kennedys fighting legalization, possibly due to pharmaceutical company ties JudyM Nov 2018 #11
Joe Kennedy, the patriarch owned liquor manufacturing and distribution pbmus Nov 2018 #12
Interesting, thanks for that additional background. JudyM Nov 2018 #13
I think he's aiming at the 2020 Veep Slot Cal Tek Nov 2018 #14
This message was self-deleted by its author Omaha Steve Nov 2018 #15
He probably see the "gold in them thar hills", and wants to cash in. nt Progressive Jones Nov 2018 #18
Then he and others should change the federal laws duforsure Nov 2018 #19

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
3. Good for him
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:38 PM
Nov 2018

I don't care about marijuana laws, but I know it's a big issue for the younger generation.

Kennedy has been too conservative overall for me, so I hope he can start moving left soon.

pbmus

(12,418 posts)
7. Thanks for calling me the 'younger generation '
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:44 PM
Nov 2018

The use of cannabis cuts across all ages....for medical and recreational reasons...

WePurrsevere

(24,259 posts)
4. Good for him! I've known quite a few...
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:39 PM
Nov 2018

Whose opinions have evolved on this over the years. It's amazing what facts and less BS fear mongering can do.

DownriverDem

(6,206 posts)
5. Excellent
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:42 PM
Nov 2018

Michigan just voted to make recreational pot legal. We've been told we have the most liberal law in the country.

logosoco

(3,208 posts)
6. Very happy to see him saying this !
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:42 PM
Nov 2018

Not just as someone who uses cannabis, but this is how it should be: you change your beliefs/opinions when you see evidence that refutes them.

rollin74

(1,952 posts)
9. Great to hear!
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 04:48 PM
Nov 2018

I have been critical of Joe Kennedy for his past position on this issue

I'm glad he has changed his stance. And, yes, cannabis should absolutely be removed from the Controlled Substances Act.
At the very least, respect states who have decided to legalize.

JudyM

(29,122 posts)
11. Sad to see Kennedys fighting legalization, possibly due to pharmaceutical company ties
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 05:27 PM
Nov 2018

according to the article.

pbmus

(12,418 posts)
12. Joe Kennedy, the patriarch owned liquor manufacturing and distribution
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 05:33 PM
Nov 2018

In the 20-30s....he was a criminals criminal....he promoted the marijuana boogie man....and other anti-cannabis laws....

The Kennedy Family has gotten into pharmaceuticals many years ago and have been against cannabis ever since Joe...

 

Cal Tek

(41 posts)
14. I think he's aiming at the 2020 Veep Slot
Tue Nov 20, 2018, 05:37 PM
Nov 2018

I don't think a member of the House in only his fourth term can realistically aspire to the POTUS nomination.

Response to brooklynite (Original post)

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
19. Then he and others should change the federal laws
Wed Nov 21, 2018, 07:36 AM
Nov 2018

Especially for medicinal MJ in every state of this country ASAP. Making it legal , and stop making criminals from its use anymore. They have more than enough evidence its a very effective plant that can treat many issues, but you have big pharma paying trump and some in the gop protecting them , and refusing to allow its promotion. If you've seen someone with a major issue be helped by its use you would understand, and I have, it worked well for them. If they lived in a illegal state they could have ended up in jail just for making themselves better. This should be addressed at once in Congress soon. The majority is getting bigger every year now for it too.

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