This article was originally published on The Fresh Toast and appears here with permission.

As it reaches a tense 3-week mark to find a Speaker for the US House, perhaps everyone can chill and support marijuana

The US House of Representatives seems to be struggling to find a Speaker.  Since Matt Gaetz (R-FL) led a revolt against Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Congress has been a bit rudderless and business has come to a standstill. With two wars, an impending vote to maintain cash for the government and a long list of other actions, the country waits for a sign things will get better. It seems there is a favorite among the 9 candidates now.  So what is the stance of Tom Emmer and marijuana?

Roughly 90% of the country supports some form of legal marijuana and the Senate is waiting to vote on SAFER Banking to correct some issues with the cannabis industry.  Currently, 23 states have full recreational and 40 have medical marijuana.  Tom Emmer’s (R-MN) home state of Minnesota has recreational marijuana.

Cannabis is now legal for adults 21 and older to use and possess in Minnesota, making it the 23rd state in the country to legalize cannabis for recreational use. The first dispensary selling marijuana for recreational use is now open in Red Lake Nation in north-central Minnesota.

Emmer has been a bit fuzzy on his stance.  He has voted yes for the Medical Marijuana Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act but no for the Marijuana Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act which he blames as being a non-bipartisan bill.

The good news he voted yes for SAFE Banking several times and has even been a House co-sponsor of the bill.

Emmer has publicly stated on WJON that marijuana should be a state issue currently since the federal government isn’t taking a firm stand. As Speaker, Emmer would be able to move the federal government on marijuana.

As an example of his innovative thinking and ability to work with non-traditional concepts, Open Secrets determined Emmer, a major crypto booster, received $95,466 from individuals and PACs with ties companies in his re-election campaign account in the last election cycle. That’s more money from the crypto industry than all other House members, except for House Financial Service Chairman Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

Based on his actions and votes, Emmer seems to be open to new ideas, understands popular sentiment, and isn’t dead set against marijuana like Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and others.