Can Marijuana Legalization Spark Beto O'Rourke's Bid?

Beto O’Rourke has always been a supporter of marijuana legalization. Now that he is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, marijuana reform could be his campaign’s primary agenda item. The 2020 election cycle is heating up—and so is the marijuana industry.

Beto O’ Rourke takes a bold stance

O’Rourke first took a stand for cannabis in 2009 when he introduced a city council resolution protesting the prohibition of cannabis. O’Rourke believes that if legalized, marijuana would be sold by regulated businesses. In a regulated environment, he believes that cannabis wouldn’t be sold by teenagers on street corners and middle school playgrounds, keeping children safe. In March, he told a rally in Iowa, “We should end the federal prohibition on marijuana.”

O’ Rourke’s policy actions

A Marijuana Moment article noted that during his time in Congress, O’Rourke passed numerous reforms and bills in support of cannabis. He also cosponsored several drug reform bills focusing on federal cannabis and hemp laws.

He believes that regulating cannabis at the national level could also keep a check on black-market profits. O’Rourke has regularly stepped forward to pass bills to provide banking access to state-legal marijuana businesses, particularly the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2017.

Read more: https://articles2.marketrealist.com/2019/08/can-marijuana-legalization-spark-beto-orourkes-bid/