New Anti-Marijuana Committee Exposes Trump’s Lies About Support for Cannabis
August 31, 2018— The cannabis industry Trump supporters are finally seeing the truth behind the administrations policy on marijuana. In a revealing article from Buzzfeed on Wednesday, a new committee has been formed in the West Wing to ignore all the emerging science on cannabis and perpetuate reefer madness by supporting only negative information about the healing plant. Buzzfeed reports:
“The Marijuana Policy Coordination Committee, as it’s named in White House memos and emails, instructed 14 federal agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration this month to submit “data demonstrating the most significant negative trends” about marijuana and the “threats” it poses to the country.
“In an ironic twist, the committee complained in one memo that the narrative around marijuana is unfairly biased in favor of the drug. But rather than seek objective information, the committee’s records show it is asking officials only to portray marijuana in a negative light, regardless of what the data show.”
According to their investigations, the Trump administration staff, under the guise of this new Marijuana Policy Coordination Committee, are pushing for messaging that only highlights negative effects from cannabis, claiming the current narrative is one-sided and inaccurate. The Office of National Drug Control Policy sent memos to the departments of Defense, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs and also the Environmental Protection Agency asking them to each return “bullet pointed” fact sheets identifying marijuana threats and issues with the initiatives.
“Staff believe that if the administration is to turn the tide on increasing marijuana use there is an urgent need to message the facts about the negative impacts of marijuana use, production, and trafficking on national health, safety, and security,” the meeting summary stated, according to Buzzfeed’s report.
Responses on Twitter, Trump’s preferred method of communication included—
Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D) of Hawaii:
It is unfortunate that the Trump Administration is choosing to perpetuate biased information and outdated myths to fuel the failed War on Drugs that has ripped families apart and wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. https://t.co/SLsBxO7hyW
— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) August 30, 2018
Senator Michael Bennet (D) of Colorado:
The Trump admin should be investing in scientific research on marijuana, not intentionally misleading the American people. Sent a letter urging the WH to stop misusing data for political purposes & instead work with states like Colorado on this issue.https://t.co/hXXo8NsZRE
— Michael Bennet (@SenBennetCO) August 30, 2018
Other lawmakers responded through media outlets and directly in statements online—
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) told Rolling Stone:
“I just don’t understand: Why would they make this full court press on trying to stop what’s going on out there? What happens when you try to lie to people about marijuana? It just makes them want to use it all the more. So I’m really baffled by this …
“It feels like it fits into an unfortunate narrative about this administration believing that it’s okay to lie to get an end result that you’re trying to achieve. That’s the opposite of what we expect whether it’s out of the DEA or the FDA — we count on the federal government to provide us honest, unbiased information.”
Oregon’s Earl Blumenauer also told Rolling Stone:
“We’ve always been challenged, because the failed war on drugs is very deeply embedded in the federal government. You still have agencies that are getting in the way of thoughtful research. You’ve had zealots who have made a career out of this.”
Congresswoman Jacky Rosen said in a statement:
“It should come as no surprise that Attorney General Sessions is leading the charge on spreading misinformation about marijuana legalization in states like Nevada,” said Rosen. “The Trump Administration should not be working behind the scenes to mislead the public and undermine our successful efforts to legalize and regulate marijuana at the state level. After rescinding the Cole Memo last year, it’s clear why this Administration has not stepped up for real solutions this year. Congress must take action to provide certainty to Nevada businesses and consumers, and that’s why I’m supporting a number of bipartisan plans to protect states’ rights and the will of Nevada voters on marijuana.”
The Trump administration has shown complete disregard for facts and the truth, which makes this committee and their agenda disturbing. The vast majority of people can see through the Trump lies and understand that he will only do whatever helps him, personally, and has no regard for others, including medical marijuana patients or recreational cannabis users. The people that cannot see the truth are a threat to the cannabis industry and have no regard for effective laws or patient access to the plant and its products.
Trump cannot be trusted, on anything, but especially the legalization of cannabis or safe access for medical patients. Anyone in the cannabis industry that believes Trump is good for cannabis legalization is either ignorant, just plain stupid, or simply in the industry for their own gain, and nothing else, much like Donlad J. Trump is only in Washington for his own benefit and enrichment, and nothing else. His supporters should not be trusted, just as Trump cannot be trusted, on anything.
© 2018 Oregon Cannabis Connection. All rights reserved. Featured image by Donkey Hotey on FLICKR.
