So maybe federal legalization isn’t as bipartisan as we previously thought…
As soon as Republican Representative Nancy Mace announced her legalization bill, GOP lawmakers from her hometown of South Carolina released a statement against the effort.
“Unequivocally, the South Carolina Republican Party is against any effort to legalize, decriminalize the use of controlled substances, and that includes this bill,” says the statement released on Tuesday.
The tone of the statement is so adamantly against the effort that it’s almost surprising in its finality, considering that 68% of Americans want federal legalization. It’s eye-opening to see some lawmakers remaining firm in their opposition.
Even State Senator Tom Davis, a Republican, has stated that the party’s view on weed is “an intellectually lazy position that doesn’t even try to present medical facts as they currently exist.”
The statement released by the party after the new legalization bill was unveiled continues, saying, “Since this will have widespread negative impacts, from rising crime, violence, and mental health issues in children, I think it’s a safe bet to say most Republicans will be against it too.”
We’ll see about that.
After @RepNancyMace rolls out a Republican plan for federal marijuana legalization, the @SCGOP issues a statement opposing it. pic.twitter.com/vrLdAns5f2
— Nick Reynolds (@IAmNickReynolds) November 15, 2021