Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. Representative from Hawaii and former Democratic presidential candidate, has been a vocal advocate for the legalization of cannabis.
In a series of tweets, Gabbard has highlighted the hypocrisy and absurdity of federal laws related to marijuana, calling for an end to the criminalization of its use.
Grandma's Case
The arrest of a grandmother at the Dallas Fort Worth airport for possessing CBD oil, a product used for medicinal purposes, is a prime example of the harsh consequences faced by those who use or possess marijuana. This incident sparked a heated debate about the legalization of cannabis and the need for comprehensive reform of the current system.
The recent arrest of a grandmother at the Dallas Fort Worth airport for possession of CBD oil—a resin from the cannabis plant used to treat arthritis and other ailments —underscores the absurdity and hypocrisy of federal laws related to marijuana. pic.twitter.com/SzuRNQIeNQ
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) May 30, 2019
The Griner Case
Gabbard has taken a strong stance on the issue of legalization over time.
Last year, she called out the Biden administration for its efforts to pressure Russia to release Brittney Griner, the WNBA superstar who was detained in Russia for 10 months for possession of cannabis, while ignoring the countless Americans who are serving time in prison for similar offenses.
This double standard, Gabbard argued, highlighted the hypocrisy at the heart of the government's approach to marijuana.
Biden Admin is trying to pressure Russia to free Griner, who is being detained in Russia for possession of cannabis. So will Biden/Harris use their power to release the countless Americans being held in our own prisons for cannabis possession? Of course not. Hypocrisy. pic.twitter.com/UpxYHTv77Q
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) July 20, 2022
Why Support Legalization?
For years, advocates of legalization have pointed to the numerous benefits of cannabis, including its medicinal properties and its potential to generate revenue for the government through taxation. However, despite these compelling arguments, the plant remains illegal at the federal level, leaving millions of people at risk of arrest and imprisonment.
Gabbard has said that it is time for the country to move beyond this outdated and harmful approach to cannabis. By legalizing the plant and regulating its use, the government can ensure that people have access to safe and controlled products, while also generating much-needed revenue and freeing up resources that are being used to enforce prohibition.
Tulsi Gabbard's support for cannabis legalization is a call to action for all those who believe in ending the criminalization of a substance that has the potential to provide numerous benefits to society. With her leadership, the fight for legalization is sure to gain momentum and bring us one step closer to a future where the use of marijuana is no longer a crime.
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Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America via WikiMedia
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