SEAN SPICER SENDS SMOKE SIGNALS
Thursday’s press conference with White House press secretary Sean Spicer was alarming, to say the least. Aside from the continued disrespect and attack of the media, Spicer brought to light the first discussions we are formally seeing from the Trump administration on cannabis.
In response to a question from Arkansas reporter Roby Brock, Spicer made a strange division between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis. Reiterating what we’ve heard from President Trump in the past, Spicer says, “the President understands the pain and suffering that many people go through who are facing especially terminal diseases,” but then oddly asserts, “that when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing that we should be doing is encouraging people.”
“…that when you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing that we should be doing is encouraging people.”
Either the administration doesn’t understand that medical cannabis and recreational cannabis are the exact same plant, as well as their subsequent products, or they’re attempting to drive a wedge in an otherwise nationally supported industry. To assume that recreational purchasers aren’t using the product medicinally is negligent, and asserting that there is a clear division of the two is just plain ignorant. The only separation of the two terms is literally the set of laws surrounding them, all of which differ heavily from state to state. Furthermore, to relate the opioid epidemic and its potential expansion to cannabis use is beyond misleading, considering numerous published documents on the decrease of opioid overdoses and opioid-related fatalities in states where medical marijuana is legal.
Washington’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson made no hesitation in responding to Spicer’s comments, stating, “I will resist any efforts by the Trump administration to undermine the will of the voters in Washington state.” Considering the Trump administration’s justification on rescinding guidelines for transgender bathrooms as state’s rights, a move to crack-down on states with cannabis would be a clear contradiction. Unfortunately all too common for the POTUS thus far.
DOPE has always stood for Defending Our Plant Everywhere, and we are reminded of this platform now more than ever. Just as we began to feel safe, recognized and socially appreciated as a growing culture, we are again attacked. None of us in this industry have arrived unscathed or without adversity, and now is no different. Pushing forward this year we will all face renewed resistance as users, growers and advocates alike. We must continue to educate ourselves and persevere with renewed spirits.
Originally published at Dope Magazine.
