Ask a Pol drugs

Who?Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)LISTEN: Laslo & AOC This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) — Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee; Joint Economic CommitteeAsk a Pol asks:You and Sen. James Lankford have a new bill to block DOJ from implementing Trump’s marijuana rescheduling — why is that important to you?Key Budd:“The president was given bad information. I think the president thought he was making a good decision. And I support the president on the vast majority of his policies, but I think he was poorly advised,” Sen. Budd exclusively tells Ask a Pol.Caught our ear:“I don’t think anything pro marijuana will age well. I mean, it’s harming our children. So let’s leave it scheduled as is,” Budd tells us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next?Who?Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom CaucusDate:Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 — eve of President Donald Trump dropping cannabis — or “marijuana,” as Harris calls it — from Schedule I to Schedule III.Ask a Pol asks:What do you make of reports Trump plans to reschedule marijuana?Key Harris:“I suspect some more reasonable minds may be prevailing over at the White House,” Rep. Andy Harris tells Ask a Pol Drugs, when asked about Trump’s reported plan to reschedule cannabis.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)Ask a Pol asks:We’re hearing President Trump’s going to change cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III via executive order. Wondering why Biden didn’t move on this?Key AOC:“I’ve always been saying this from the beginning. It’s such a no-brainer, and I’ve honestly felt that it’s been a race,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exclusively tells Ask a Pol Drugs. “Of course I’m supportive of that move.”Subscribe for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE already, fam!Caught our ear:“Speaker Johnson doesn’t have the pen on executive orders,” Ocasio-Cortez tells us.“So if he wants to try to pass some legislation and whip his entire Republican caucus into doing that, I mean, that’s well within his power and his right. I don’t think that’s going to pass, though.”TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (12-12-2025)SCENE: Just off the floor of the US House of Representatives, a gaggle of congressional reporters huddle around AOC, firing away with questions ranging from skyrocketing health care premiums to the 2026 midterm elections.Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo slides in the back of his colleagues, waits and listens for a bit until the other journalists move on. Once AOC answers their last questions and her staffers start to move her towards an elevator, Laslo — who was (half)jokingly referred to as The Squad Correspondent at VICE News — slides in with an irresistible question for the Bronx progressive…Matt Laslo: “We’re hearing President [Donald] Trump is going to change cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III via executive order. How disappointed are you [fmr. President Joe] Biden didn’t move on this?”Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: “I mean, I’ve always been saying this from the beginning. I’ve been saying that this is — it’s such a no-brainer. And I’ve honestly felt that it’s been a race to whoever — I mean, it just feels, it’s inevitable. So, of course I’m supportive of that move.”ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo’s wire service, The LCB, first sold this interview to sister cannabis outlet, Marijuana MomentLaslo: “And we’re also hearing Speaker [Mike] Johnson is opposing it.”AOC: “Yeah?”Laslo: “So…”AOC: “Well, Speaker Johnson doesn’t have the pen on executive orders.”Laslo: “Yeah?”AOC: “So if he wants to try to pass some legislation and whip his entire Republican caucus into doing that, I mean, that’s well within his power and his right. I don’t think that’s going to pass, though.”Laslo: “Yeah? Right? Thank you, ma’am.”AI Disclosure:Ask a Pol‘s playing around with as many new AI tools as we can, so this small, unfunded startup can compete in today’s new media landscape.Tips welcome.100% anonymity This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, Freedom CaucusBlack Friday Blowout: Limited-time SALE — subscribe today!Help a struggling startup out. Please, fam.Ask a Pol asks:Do you think the train’s already left the station on hemp?Key Harris:“Federal law supersedes state laws on scheduled substances,” Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We are going to limit an otherwise unregulated industry that sells intoxicants to children.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit  Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Now that the federal government’s re-opened and Speaker Mike Johnson gaveled the US House of Representatives back into session, has there been any chatter of the broadly bipartisan SAFER Banking Act? Key Omar:“No. Right now, we’re trying to see if we can get exemptions for states that have already rolled out their hemp policies,” Rep. Ilhan Omar tells Ask a Pol Drugs. “So much of our economy, it’s already absorbing the hemp industry, and it’s just going to be a tragedy for the industries that already exist in states like Minnesota.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) — Member, Senate Banking CommitteeAsk a Pol asks:If Trump came out strongly in support of medical marijuana, would that be a game-changer for the Republican Party?Key Cramer:“Certainly,” Sen. Kevin Cramer exclusively told Ask a Pol. “It would certainly be the game-changer for the party. And I do think it would be easier to do some of these other thingspsst: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!Caught our ear:It’s felt like cannabis has been a four-letter word all Congress.“It has been a four-letter word,” Cramer told us. “It changes the conversation for sure.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~Ask a Pol asks:How do you combat the 39 state attorneys general pushing back against hemp, arguing it’s really dangerous?Key Paul: “Some of them came back from states that have completely legalized marijuana and they’re going to ban hemp?” Sen. Rand Paul told Ask a Pol. “I mean, it’s just ridiculous.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)Ask a Pol asks:Do you think whichever way that goes could be the dominoes when it comes to SAFER Banking Act and stuff like that? Like if he green lights cannabis would that wake up a lot of people in your party?Key Daines:“I’m not sure, actually,” Sen. Steve Daines exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Many Senators hold strong opinions, and they keep those opinions separate from SAFE Banking, you know, like me. I’m not a fan of recreational marijuana.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) — Member, Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs CommitteeIn our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:The Supreme Court’s weighing a handful of 2nd Amendment cases that examine the conflict between states rights to legalize cannabis and the federal prohibition on marijuana — do you have any problem with marijuana users owning firearms?Key Tillis: “Why would I have a problem with that any more than somebody who drinks alcohol?” Sen. Thom Tillis exclusively told Ask a Pol. “There’s a big talk right now, I don’t know if you noticed, about states running afoul of federal law. Now, in some cases, we seem to think that’s a bad thing.”NEW: Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK)LISTEN: Laslo & SullivanAsk a Pol asks:Do you have any problem with marijuana users owning or using firearms?Key Sullivan:“What now?” Sen. Dan Sullivan exclusively told Ask a Pol.Because marijuana’s still federally illegal, no marijuana user can legally have a firearm.“I gotta look into details, but I would be highly skeptical of that,” Sullivan said.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:The Supreme Court’s considering a couple cases, curious your thoughts about marijuana users owning firearms?Key Slotkin:“I can tell you I have never thought about it,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin exclusively tells Ask a Pol.Caught our ear:“We have a lot of folks who own firearms and smoke marijuana,” Slotkin tells us.Which means they’re felons, because they have to lie on federal forms, as it’s currently set up — the Hunter Biden problem.“Okay,” the Senator replies.Laslo nervously laughs.“Well,” Slotkin says, “I can tell you I haven’t thought about it.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) — Member, Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:What do you make of President Donald Trump’s orders to strike cartels in the Caribbean? Here stateside, cartels illegally grow cannabis in some states — so where’s that line?Key Kaine:“Well, it’s a line that the president shouldn’t be able to do it unilaterally,” Sen. Tim Kaine exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “If you’re using military action to wipe out boats that you claim are drug trafficking boats, you need congressional authorization to do it.“The reason that — they believe they have more of an international legal rationale if it’s in international waters. They need both the domestic rationale and international rationale. We’re pressing them on the no domestic rationale...”Caught our ear:“When you bomb you often don’t recover narcotics,” Kaine tells us. “In at least one of the instances, there’s no narcotics recovered. It’s not clear that was what was on the boat. It might have been human trafficking.”Find Ask a Pol on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer…About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know! Who?Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) — Senate Banking, House & Urban Affairs Committee**Former lead sponsor Sen. Steve Daines exited the Banking Committee to take a slot on the Foreign Relations Committee, which is when he passed the proverbial torch to Moreno who’s now the lead GOP sponsor of the SAFER Banking Act in the US Senate Ask a Pol asks:This summer you told me the SAFER Banking Act — financial protections for cannabis companies — was maybe going to be in the fall. Any discussions yet? Key Moreno: “We’re still seeing what we can do to get it done in Q4. As you know, the Democrats give us a lot of stuff to do,” Sen. Bernie Moreno exclusively tells Ask a Pol. About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ interactive political journalism ~ what should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & OmarIn our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:What are you looking for as Minnesota rolls out its first non-tribal recreational cannabis program today (Tuesday; Sept 16th)?Key Omar:“Yeah. There's still heavy contention between underserved communities that they're still working through. So I'm hoping that the rollout does include all the voices that are supposed to be benefited from the community initiatives,” Rep. Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol.With Wisconsin now the only Midwest state without legal recreational cannabis, do you see Minnesota’s marijuana evolution is a positive step forward for the region?“Yeah it is, and my hope is that when our bill was crafted and debated, we took in all of the lessons learned from Colorado and California,” Omar says. “So I do hope that there will be an excellent rollout that could serve as a model of how to do it right.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)LISTEN: Laslo & HoevenIn our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s language to ban hemp with “quantifiable” amounts of THC was stripped out of this year’s agriculture spending bill — enabling the bipartisan measure to move forward — but do you think there’s a way to bridge the divide between McConnell and his libertarian-leaning colleague Rand Paul who tells us his goal remains to "fix it so they don’t kill the hemp industry”?Key Hoeven: “There’s a way to do it,” Sen. John Hoeven exclusively told Ask a Pol before the Senate left Washington for their annual August recess. “Between Mitch and Rand, they have different ideas on how you apply the test for hemp and hemp products. They both want a good market for hemp farmers, because that’s a significant crop in Kentucky, which is why I think we’ll get to something.”ICYMI — Parts of interview first used by Marijuana MomentAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know! In our latest episode:Who?Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN)Ask a Pol asks:Do you know where you are on the SAFER Banking Act?Key Banks:“I’ll have to check,” Sen. Jim Banks exclusively tells Ask a Pol. ”I’m familiar with it from the House, but I haven't seen the latest iteration of it in the Senate.”Caught our ear:“Gonna hold a response on it until I see the framework,” Banks tells us.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Did we hear your hemp language prevailed?Key Paul:“We’re hoping to fix it so they don’t kill the hemp industry,” Sen. Rand Paul told Ask a Pol Tuesday before the new agreement was announced. “We think there are gonna be some changes in the bill.”Caught our ear:“Soon,” Paul told us.**ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo first sold this to Marijuana Moment through his wire service, The LCBSpecial thanks to Morning Teleportation!Our new intro music comes from our Nashville — by way of Bowling Green, KY —brothers, the amazing Morning Teleportation. Cheers, gents!About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) — Ranking Member, Senate Finance CommitteeIn our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Have you had any conversations about SAFER Banking Act this Congress?Key Titus: “No, just general ones,” Rep. Dina Titus exclusively tells Aska Pol Drugs. “Nothing that’s very specific…” About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Who?Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) — Ranking Member, Senate Finance CommitteeIn our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:What do you make of these efforts to changes to the definition of hemp?Key Wyden: “Our bill…is the most balanced bill to accommodate all the hemp interests,” Sen. Ron Wyden exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “What we want to do is have a balanced approach that moves as much product in a safe way, respects the safety concerns of families and that's why we spent all this time on it.” About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks lead Senate sponsor of SAFER Banking Act, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR):Any update on SAFER Banking Act this Congress?Key Merkley: “No. We’ve tried to schedule several meetings,” Merkley tells Ask a Pol. “We’ll keep trying to do it.” About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) — Senate Banking, House & Urban Affairs Committee**Former lead sponsor Sen. Steve Daines exited the Banking Committee to take a slot on the Foreign Relations Committee, which is when he passed the proverbial torch to Moreno who’s now the lead GOP sponsor of the SAFER Banking Act in the US SenateVisit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks Sen. Bernie Moreno: Any update on the SAFER Banking Act?Key Moreno:“That’s a tomorrow thing,” Sen. Bernie Moreno exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We’re in ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ mode right now.”ICYMI — Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo first sold this interview through his wire service, The LCBCaught our ear:“Hopefully in the fall,” Moreno tells us.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) — (fmr) Lead GOP co-sponsor, SAFER Banking ActVisit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Have you had any conversations about the SAFER Banking Act in this new Congress?Key Daines:“I have not,” Daines tells Ask a Pol.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Dave Joyce:Did you hear about the new bill from Rep. Andy Harris that would make hemp products with small, if “quantifiable,” amounts of THC in it illegal?Key Joyce:“No,” Rep. Dave Joyce exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Look, that has been the stepping stone for the gas station delivery of intoxicants, whether that's hemp or chemically manufactured Kratom or whatever all that other sh*t is that they sell at gas stations. And there's no age limit on that.”ICYMI — Find Ask a Pol on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram!About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Do you feel like we're closer on reconciliation?**President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill”Key Andy Harris:“Just say ‘no’ to drugs,” Rep. Andy Harris tells Ask a Pol founder and professor Matt Laslo.“I say ‘yes’ to drugs,” Laslo replies.“Don’t say that in public, man,” Harris replies.“Someone's gotta test ‘em,” Laslo laughs.NEW: Follow Ask a Pol on YouTubeAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!Ask a Pol asks:Have you looked at the SAFER Banking Act?Key Justice:“I have not looked at it,” Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) exclusively told Ask a Pol Drugs.Caught our ear:“The SAFER what?” Justice asked us.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks Forida gubenatorial candidate Rep. Byron Donalds:It almost feels like cannabis is a four letter word in this Congress, no one's talking about it, you know?Key Donalds:Donalds laughs.“I mean, but if SAFE Banking actually ends up getting to the floor in the House, we passed it the last Congress and the Congress before,” Rep. Byron Donalds tells Ask a Pol. “We’ve done it, but the Senate always pulls it out.”About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Do you feel like we're closer on reconciliation?**President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill”Key Andy Harris:“Just say ‘no’ to drugs,” Rep. Andy Harris tells Ask a Pol founder and professor Matt Laslo.“I say ‘yes’ to drugs,” Laslo replies.“Don’t say that in public, man,” Harris replies.“Someone's gotta test ‘em,” Laslo laughs.NEW: Follow Ask a Pol on YouTubeAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Visit  Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know!In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:The Congressional Cannabis Caucus still hasn’t met yet this Congress, does that portend bad things to come?Key Omar:“I don't know. I think it's just there's so many things people are chasing,” Congressional Cannabis Caucus Co-chair Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol.ICYMI — Cannabis Unity Week of Action starts April 28thAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to Congress. Transparency matters, so come inside the Capitol with us! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol keeps em honest. Find us on social media:SubstackXSpotifyAppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites! Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL)* *Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s replacement in the United States Senate. ICYMI — don’t expect much ‘drug’ diplomacy… LISTEN: Laslo & Moody Ask a Pol asks:Do you know where ypou are on the SAFER Banking Act? Key Moody:“Something being proposed currently?” Sen. Ashley Moody replies. Yeah. It's the banking protections for cannabis firms. “Right,” Moody says. “But there are numerous versions floating around.”Ask a Pol drugs is a reader-supported publication. Consider supporting us today!Caught our ear:“I'm very intrigued by your tactics, it's like behind the line type strategy,” Moody tells Laslo. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Ashley MoodySCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Sen. Ashley Moody’s surprised to find Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo on the elevator she enters…Ashley Moody: “You just hang out? And I'm very intrigued by your tactics, it's like behind the line type strategy.” Matt Laslo: “Right?” AM: “Just ride the elevators all day and see who gets in.” ML: “It actually does work.”AM: “What ya got?” ML: “19 years, I learned some things.” AM: “What's your name?”ML: “Matt Laslo.” Please support our independent journalism! Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!AM: “Yes we met. We met that's right.” ML: “I used to be the correspondent for WFSU in Tallahasse, WLRN in Miami.” AM: “That’s right, yes, you told me that.” ML: “I’m curious — actually, VICE News Tonight flew me down for a sitdown with Nikki Dried on cannabis when she was [Florida] Ag. secretary. Where are you — do you know where ypou are on the SAFER Banking Act?” AM: “Something being proposed currently?” ML: “Yeah, it's the marijuana protections — or banking, it allows cannabis firms into the…” AM: “Right but there are numerous versions floating around.”ML: “Yeah.” AM: “So if you want to email which one you're talking about to my office, I'll look at it.” ML: “Cool. But like, generally do you know where — like, are you supportive or…? It’s just interesting this Congress it hasn’t really come up much at all.”AM: “If you want to email it to them I’ll take a look at it.” ML: “Will do. Thank you, ma’am.” Train doors closing warning goes off as Moody boards the underground tram. What should we ask Congress next? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

~ Ask a Pol ~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~What should we ask Congress next? Let us know ASAP! https://www.askapol.com In our latest episode, Ask a Pol asks:Do you think with cannabis and other substances, we might see it come up as an amendment to bigger pieces of legislation?“I could absolutely see that,” Sen. Ruben Gallego tells us of SAFER Banking Act marijuana protections for locally-legal cannabis companies that are still federally outlawed.About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to their United States Congress. Transparency matters. Come inside the Capitol with us, cause we are free! Politicians disappoint. Ask a Pol just presses and presses and presses for answers. Every. Single. Day. Find us on social media:Substack XSpotify AppleDon’t miss our other Ask a Pol sites!Ask a Pol politics.Ask a Pol crypto. Ask a Pol drugs. Ask a Pol ai. Ask a Pol uaps. Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

~ asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol ~ Who?Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) — Judiciary & Small Business and Entrepreneurship CommitteesLISTEN: Laslo & SchiffAsk a Pol asks:Have you heard SAFER Banking Act come up at all with your new colleagues since moving from the House to the Senate these past few months?Key Sen. Adam Schiff:“Not that I heard yet,” Sen. Adam Schiff exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “It's really important that we allow an industry to use the banking system. Otherwise you just encourage cash transactions. You don’t get things reported. You don’t collect the taxes that you should.”ICYMI — baggy pants & psychedelics are in at US Capitol. Read more at Ask a Pol drugs...About Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to their United States Congress. Transparency matters. Come inside the Capitol with Ask a Pol. Don’t miss our VIP subscriber perks.  Substack: https://askapoldrugs.com/ X: https://x.com/AskaPol_drugs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vcQnOAD1pEkfQrzCaPQOq Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-pol-drugs/id1771220044 More from Ask a Pol politics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_5bAJlEVr6Nxw50bGzKBn08 crypto: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_7-NcJRUdAm4SgqYqQ3s0C9 ai: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_4r5FXI64YTOB4hoI-TBs-y Find Ask a Pol founder @MattLaslo on social media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

A people-powered press corps — asking your lawmakers your UAP questions at your US Capitol.Ask a Pol asks:Has the Congressional Cannabis Caucus met yet this new, 119th Congress?Key Correa:“No,” Rep. Lou Correa exclusively tells Ask a Pol.Psychedelics popular, cannabis forgotton at Capitol“The PATH [psychedelics] Caucus, we got a meeting today and tomorrow, and I think,” Correa says. “If I may presuppose, I think we have momentum. The momentum is there.”Transcript: Full transcripts of our exclusive interviews posted on AskaPoldrugs.comAbout Ask a Pol: We give listeners a front row seat to the s***show that is the contemporary Congress. Subscribe to Ask a Pol if you can handle a personal tour of the unvarnished underbelly of American politics.Web: https://askapoldrugs.com/ X: https://x.com/AskaPol_drugs Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0vcQnOAD1pEkfQrzCaPQOq Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-pol-drugs/id1771220044 More from Ask a Pol:politics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_5bAJlEVr6Nxw50bGzKBn08 crypto: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_7-NcJRUdAm4SgqYqQ3s0C9 uaps: ai: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWbT1bfG4h_4r5FXI64YTOB4hoI-TBs-y Fresh from Matt Laslo at https://x.com/MattLaslo This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & JoyceAsk a Pol asks:What’s this we hear that the Congressional Cannabis Caucus hasn’t even met yet three months into this new Congress? Key Joyce:“No. We haven’t,” Rep. Dave Joyce exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “Well, let’s face it, what are going to put on the table at the moment? … Why run our heads into the wall, right?” CAMEO: Andy Harris “Say no to marijuana!” Rep. Andy Harris says as Joyce and Laslo are talking on the Capitol steps. “You want a toke?” Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo asks Harris. Caught our ear:Ask a Pol mentions Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer… “He had [SAFER Banking Act] for like two years on his f*cking desk and didn’t do anything,” Joyce tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Joyce interview first sold to Marijuana Moment**Ask a Pol founder Matt Laslo runs regionally-focused national wire service, The LCB. TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Dave Joyce SCENE: Ahead of the House vote to keep the US government funded through the fall, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo ran into Rep. Dave Joyce as he was making his way to the house floor to vote. Matt Laslo: “Hey, what is this I hear that the Cannabis Caucus hasn’t even met yet this Congress?” Dave Joyce: “No. We haven’t.”What should we ask Congress this week? ML: “Why not?”DJ: “Well, let’s face it, what are going to put on the table at the moment? We’re getting this,* then we got till we get reconciliation done. Why run our heads into the wall, right?” *Joyce is referring to the government funding bill the US House voted on the day we spoke. ML: “But now like [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer…” DJ: “He had the thing for like two years on his f*cking desk and didn’t do anything, right?” ML: “Yeah, fair.” Pity us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!DJ: “So, we’ll work on something, but it’s just a matter of wait til we’re in a position to do something.”ML: “Because I heard…”Rep. Andy Harris: “Say no to marijuana!” Joyce and Laslo laugh. ML: “Mr. Andy Harris, of course he says that!” They laugh. ICYMI — Harris talks to Ask a Pol…ML: “How do you know we’re talking about it?” Harris: “C’mon!” ML: “You want a toke?” They laugh harder. ML: “But, I was just talking to [Rep. Lou] Correa and he said that their Psychedelics Task Force has already met a couple times.” Laslo laughs. ML: “It feels that’s taking lead.”DJ: “I think they’re clearer. It’s, you know, they’re mixing — it’s tough enough for cannabis. And I get the psychedelic argument — you know, with help to the men and women in the service and God bless if it is, for addictions and all kinds of things too — but it’s been hard enough drive this bus uphill with the cannabis issues.”ML: “So keep them separated as much as possible?” DJ: “Correct. I’ve been asked on a number of occasions to be part of it, but I just steer clear of it because guys like him.”Joyce points over his shoulder, where Andy Harris just entered the Capitol. ML: “Do you think you guys might have a window to bring it up or do you think your part is just so…? DJ: “Well, I think after we get through reconciliation and things start to calm down, we get back to regular order.”ML: “Yeah?” DJ: “Might be the right time.”ML: “Yup. I’ll be watching.”Joyce starts heading up the Capitol steps. ML: “Appreciate ya!” FREE VIP subscriptions (for those who qualify)!!! *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.Nicolae Viorel Butler contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) LISTEN: Laslo & Blunt RochesterAsk a Pol asks:Where are you on SAFER Banking Act?Key Blunt Rochester:“Do you mind if I just follow up with you over email,” an annoyingly worthless aide interjects, cutting off her boss, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester. ICYMI — 100 of 100 senators of 118th Congress on cannabis policyCaught our eye:Senator Blunt Rochester is cut off from speaking by her aide. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Lisa Blunt RochesterSCENE: After Delaware voters sent her to the US Senate in the 119th Congress, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester still had to show up for votes in the US House. On her way to one of those votes, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo found himself on an elevator with Blunt Rochester, so he asked about the SAFER Banking Act before her aide blocked Ask a Pol before everyone exited the elavator into crowded hall of reporters, tourists and politicans. Lisa Blunt Rochester: “Hi, how are you?”Matt Laslo: “Congratulations.”LBR: “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”ML: “I’m curious…” Rep. Mike McCaul entering elevator: “Yeah, she said that Peru would…”ML: “…do you know where you are on SAFER Banking Act over in the Senate?”The US Senator’s aide cuts the US Senator off. Aide: “What is your name and outlet?”ML: “Matt Laslo. I've got my own wire service.”Aide: “What was that?”ML: “Matt Laslo. I've got my own wire service.”Laslo hands the aide a business card. Aide: “Oh, you have a card.” ML: “I used to cover her back in the day for WHYY.”LBR: “Oh, great. Okay. So, do you mind if I just follow up with you over email?”ML: “Yeah.”LBR: “And it's about SAFER Banking?”ML: “SAFER Banking.”LBR: “Okay, great. Yeah. We'll follow up over email.”*aide never followed up… Support us? Consider supporting us! Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “Cool, cool.”LBR: “Thank you.”Elevator passanger: “It’s Maya.”ML: “Because they never vote, I poll US senators. I already have 100 senators on SAFER from the 118th [Congress].” The blocker of an aide doesn’t do her job well, as she doesn’t listen and thus doesn’t hear a word Laslo says…hence this post showing their press stratgey is s**t and a disservice to the people of Delaware. — Prof. Laslo Aide: “Alright, will do.” ML: “Have a good one, ma’am.”LBR: “Thank you.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) — one of 11 new senators elected to the 119th CongressLISTEN: Laslo & KimAsk a Pol asks:How much are you hearing about the SAFER Banking Act from your constituents across New Jersey?Key Kim:“It particularly affects a lot of the small businesses because they're not the ones that can like, you know, handle high-price attorneys and others too,” Sen. Andy Kim exclusively told Ask a Pol. “So between that and, like, homegrown, those are like the two issues that I keep hearing about in New Jersey.” Ask a Pol’s FREE! Sign up for our latest. ICYMI — All 100 US senators on cannabis policyCaught our ear:“I’ve supported SAFE Banking,” Kim told us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Andy KimSCENE: During orientation for new senators, now-Sen. Andy Kim was still Rep. Kim who had to vote in the US House. Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Kim on his way to vote on the House floor. Matt Laslo: “Getting this thing on.”Laslo’s fidgetting wiqht his mic. ML: “Where are you on SAFER Banking?”Andy Kim: “Uh...”ML: “That's the cannabis one.”AK: “I supported — yeah, I’ve supported SAFE Banking.”ML: “Yeah?“AK: “The bill. Yeah.”ML: “How important — like, how much are you hearing about that from the Jersey industry or Jersey banks? Is it...”FREE VIP subscriptions available! *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.AK: “Yeah, because, you know, they have — I mean, it particularly affects a lot of the small businesses because they're not the ones that can like, you know, handle high-price attorneys and others too. ML: “Interesting. Cause it's been totally stalled in the Senate. Like, hasn't even...”AK: “Oh is that...”ML: “...come up for a vote in years.”AK: “Yeah? Is that where it's been at?”ML: “Yeah.”AK: “Is that where it's stuck? Yeah.”Woman: “Hi, Sen. Kim.”AK: “Hey, how are you?”Woman: “Good.”ML: “We'll see. I mean, kinda the same story as the House now [with Republican majority].”Consider supporting our independent journalism. Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!AK: “Yeah. It's true.”ML: “Right?”AK: “Yeah. Well, I'll keep you posted as that kinda moves forward.”ML: “Yes, sir. Preciate ya.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) — Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee LISTEN: Laslo & FettermanAsk a Pol asked:President Donald Trump tapped Terrance Cole from Virginia as his DEA nominee. He’s been anti-cannabis his entire life. How will that impact rescheduling? Key Fetterman:“It’s undeniable that the legal weed movement have taken, have lost some steam over the last couple years,” Sen. John Fetterman exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “And that’s disappointing, because it’s not controversial to anyone other than the extreme fringes.”Subscribe for free for our latest. “I never judge anybody whatever they use or need to knock the edge off of life” — Sen. John Fetterman Caught our ear:“We’re still struggling and dicking around, and we should just make legal weed,” Fetterman tells us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John FettermanSCENE: Sen. John Fetterman’s heading back to his office across the street from the US Capitol via the Senate’s busy basement when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches him for a cannabis chat. Matt Laslo: “How are you sir?”They’re at a distance… ML: “You probably haven’t heard of him, but the new DEA pick from Trump is anti-marijuana. This guy, Terrance Cole, from Virginia. You think it’s good or bad to have someone that’s in charge of DEA and rescheduling…” John Fetterman: “Well, I, am very, very pro legal weed. And anyone that knows even a germ about my record knows that I’m very pro legal weed. And, I…”ML: “Are you worried, is it harder, though, because the DEA was trying to reschedule…”JF: “Yeah, no, I mean, it’s undeniable that the legal weed movement have taken, have lost some steam over the last couple years.”ML: “Yeah?” JF: “And that’s disappointing, because it’s not controversial to anyone other than the extreme fringes. And I’ve, six years ago, literally right now, I would be in a room walking in Red and Blue County, literally, when I was LG [Lieutenant Governor], and Red County Pennsylvania said, ‘hey, we want legal weed, it’s not controversial’. So, here we are, six years later, I might be in the Senate but now we’re still struggling and dicking around and we should just make legal weed.”ML: “Yeah?” JF: “I mean, it’s legal here in DC. It’s anarchy, like…ahhh!” Fetterman makes a screaming impression. Laslo laughs.JF: “Things are — ‘s**t’s crazy,’ because, you know? So, that’s the point, it’s not a big deal.”ML: “Yeah?” JF: “If I could go walk in there and buy a gigantic, if I could buy a giant bottle of Jack, you know, somehow the world still. Same with Zin.” ML: “Yeah?”JF: “Same with Zin. It’s like, adults should have the right to consume, you know, all of these kind of products. I never judge anybody whatever they use or need to knock the edge off of life.”ML: “The weed I grow, it’s taller than you and I, here in the District.” Laslo and Fetterman laugh. JF: “Yeah?”ML: “Have a good one!”Nicolae Viorel Butler contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) — Chair, House Freedom Caucus LISTEN: Laslo & Harris Ask a Pol asks:Do you have any thoughts…Key Harris:“Marijuana’s harmful,” Rep. Andy Harris told Ask a Pol. “I’ll have a talk with RFK Jr. I mean, the bottom line is, we should make sure that we keep Americans healthy by limiting the use of marijuana.” ICYMI — Laslo’s wire service, The LCB, first sold this to Marijuana Moment Caught our ear:What do you think of RFK Jr.’s stance on psychedelics — using them to treat PTSD and stuff like that? “It might be possible. We may want to do some more research,” Harris said. “But we don’t want to do what DC did, which was make just them widely available.” Below, you’ll find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Andy HarrisSCENE: Rep. Andy Harris is walking through one of the US House Office Buildings when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo approaches him and he instantly brings up RFK Jr. and cannabis… Matt Laslo: “Hey, how are you sir? Do you have any thoughts….”Andy Harris: “Marijuana’s harmful…”Laslo laughs. AH: “….showed it — largest study ever. So we should definitely — I’ll have a talk with RFK Jr. I mean, the bottom line is, we should make sure that we keep Americans healthy by limiting the use of marijuana.” Consider supporting our independent journalism from your US Capitol!Find us on Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!ML: “I was going to ask your thoughts on Gaza.” Laslo laughs. ML: “Do you — what do you think of his stance on psychedelics?” AH: “On what?” ML: “Psychedelics. Using them to treat PTSD and stuff like that.” AH: “It might be possible. We may want to do some more research.”ML: “Yeah?” AH: “But we don’t want to do what DC did, which was make just them widely available, ya know?” Harris enters elevator. ML: “Yeah?” Elevator doors close. Nicolae Viorel Butler contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & OmarAsk a Pol asks:Do you know anything about Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, Derek Maltz?Key Omar:“No? Maltz who?” Rep. Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol. He says it's a ‘gateway drug…’ “What is he, a 100 years old?” Omar says. “All of that has been debunked for a really long time, but I think it's such a boomer thing to say…” ICYMI — Omar exclusive first sold to Marijuana MomentCaught our ear:“We are not advocating for legalizing it so that kids can utilize it,” Omar tells us. “So I have no idea why he's talking about kids.” Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ilhan OmarSCENE: There’s a vote underway on the House floor when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Rep. Omar’s walking back to her office…Matt Laslo: “You're going the wrong way.”Ilhan Omar: “I know. They called votes and I started to see members, and I was like ‘What are we doing, what is going on?’ Came out of meeting, so I didn’t know.”ML: “Do you know anything about this [Derek] Maltz guy who was tapped to lead the DEA?”ICYMI — 100 of 100 US senators on SAFER Banking ActIO: “No. Maltz who?”ML: “That’s what I'm saying.”Omar laughs. ML: “But — and this is my wire service, one of our clients is Marijuana Moment — and so I just told him to send me all his opinions, he says, it's a ‘gateway drug,’ that cannabis is. ‘That all the irresponsible politicians trying to get votes by legalizing marijuana. Maybe it's time to understand the negative impacts from smoking this crap.’”IO: “What is he, a 100 years old?”ML: “Right?”IO: “All of that has been debunked for a really long time, but I think it's such a boomer thing to say, I don't know how old this man is, but — right?”ML: “And then he says, ‘it's actually causing psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety. So it's really a gateway drug for these kids that don't know any better.’” IO: “Well, first of all, there are — we are not advocating for legalizing it so that kids can utilize it. So I have no idea why he's talking about kids.”ML: “Right?”IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Do you worry about even, like, the mental health claims he's making?”IO: “No, it's actually helpful.”ML: “It's helpful?”Consider supporting our independent journalism from your US Capitol! Consider chipping in to support our independent journalism —Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!IO: “Yes.”ML: “Cause you can so easily debunk it?”IO: “Yess — but, I mean, no. It's helpful for a lot of people who are struggling with all types of stuff.” ML: “Yeah?”IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Amen. Preciate ya.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

SCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN FOR FREE! Who?Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) — Co-chair, Congressional Cannabis CaucusLISTEN: Laslo & OmarAsk a Pol asks:We heard that you're a new co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus. Have you started any talks on the marijuana policy here?Key Omar:“It's still preliminary. None of us have met yet,” Rep. Ilhan Omar exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “We're still very in the early stages of organizing ourselves here in Congress.” ICYMI — Interview informed Marijuana Moment’s articleCaught our ear:“The hope is to be a little bit louder than what we’ve been,” Omar tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Rep. Ilhan OmarSCENE: As Rep. Ilhan Omar’s making her way to the House floor to vote, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into her in the tunnel connecting House Office Buildings to the US Capitol. Matt Laslo: “I hear that you're a new co-chair of the cannabis caucus.”Ilhan Omar: “I am. Yes, sir.”ICYMI — 100 of 100 US senators on SAFER Banking ActML: “What do you see — like, it just doesn't seem it's gonna be a big priority for the new incoming administration. Or are you guys having talks?” IO: “With the new — no, no. We had…”ML: “Or bipartisan talks here?” IO: “No, no, it's still preliminary. None of us have met yet. Actually, had my first conversation with my co-chair yesterday.”ML: “Oh yeah? It went well?” They enter an elevator in the basement of the Capitol. IO: “We're still very in the early stages of organizing ourselves here in Congress, so…”ML: “Cause even your party hasn't moved on of it — [Dem Senate Leader Chuck] Schumer never brought SAFER [Banking Act] to the floor.” IO: “Yeah.” ML: “So do you think you guys are gonna have an influence in your own party, as well as trying to reach across the aisle?”They exit the elevator just off the House floor. IO: “Yeah. The hope is to be a little bit louder than what we’ve been.” ML: “Yeah?”IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Are you figuring out, like, how to affix it to the agenda?”IO: “Yeah. I mean, I come from a state that it's legalized, that's done it really well and I think we bring a uniquer voice to the issue.”ML: “And now, as to your colleagues, three-quarters of the nation it’s legal.” IO: “Yeah.”ML: “Like, do they get that in all these conservatives there?”IO: “Well, that's our hope. At least, to speak to their libertarian senses.”ML: “Yeah? It almost seems that psychedelics are now more en vogue and cannabis is now being passed over?” IO: “Cause it should be a given at this point. And that's the point we're gonna try to make.”ML: “Preciate ya.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

SCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN FOR FREE! Who?Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)LISTEN: Laslo & Slotkin Ask a Pol asks:Do you know where you are on SAFER Banking Act?Key Slotkin:“I'm a fan. I believe in it,” Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “I couldn't explain to you why people don't support it on either side of the aisle.” Caught our ear:“I want that industry — that's now worth billions of dollars and legal in the United States — to be able to bank,” Slotkin tells us. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — 100 of 100 US senators on SAFER Banking Act TRANSCRIPT: Senator-elect Elissa SlotkinSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo runs into Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin as she’s casting one of her last votes in the US House of Representatives in December 2024. Matt Laslo: “Do you know where you are on SAFER Banking Act?” Elissa Slotkin: “Pardon?” ML: “SAFER Banking Act — it’s the cannabis…” ES: “SAFE — I don't think it's SAFER, is it?” EXCLUSIVE: SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT*Sneak peak: See our new list of all 100 US senators in the 119th Congress on the SAFER Banking Act *Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “It used to be SAFE…”ES: “Oh really. Oh, okay.”ML: “…and then they added the ‘R'.’” ES: “I am a co-sponsor.”ML: “Yeah.” ES: “I'm a fan. I believe in it, and I don't understand why we — I couldn't explain to you why people don't support it…”Subscriber only sneak peak: New list of all 100 senators on SAFER in 119th Congress ML: “Yeah?” ES: “…like, on either side of the aisle.” ML: “Yeah? What do you make of the talking points. Like, being there in Michigan, like, the reality looks a lot different than the talking points on that issue.”ES: “On that issue?”ML: “Yeah.” ES: “Oh, I don't know what the talking points are. I can just tell you that I want that industry — that's now worth billions of dollars and legal in the United States — to be able to bank.”ML: “Yeah?” ES: “That's it. That's it.”Laslo laughs. ES: “Period.” Slotkin heads to the House floor to vote. ML: “I'll be watchin. Thank you ma’am.” LJ Dawson contributed to this reporting. Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. John Thune (R-SD) — Incoming Senate Majority LeaderLISTEN: Laslo & ThuneAsk a Pol asks:What are your thoughts on the SAFER Banking Act?Key Thune:“I’m not a fan,” Sen. John Thune exclusively tells Ask a Pol.ICYMI — SALE!!! Subscribe today! Caught our ear:Any thoughts on the DEA rescheduling marijuana?“Ummm,” Thune replied, then kept on walking into the US Capitol.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. John Thune (R-SD), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John Thune ISCENE: Thune’s walking into the Capitol to cast an early evening vote when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo asks him a quick question. Matt Laslo: “Your thoughts on the DEA rescheduling marijuana?”John Thune: “Ummm…”The incoming majority leader said nothing and just kept walking. Happy Holidays! For those asking, we’re on: Venmo, PayPal, Cash App — or just buy us a beer!SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. John Thune IIML: “Sen. Thune, where are you…”JT: “What’s that?”ML: “Follow-up to my question last week. Where are you on SAFER Banking Act?”JT: “I'm not a fan. I mean, I know we have people that — on our side that are for it, but I'm not.”ML: “Yep. Thank you.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) LISTEN: Laslo & SullivanAsk a Pol asks:Are you still supportive of SAFER Banking Act?Key Sullivan: “SAFE Banking?” Sen. Sullivan exclusively told Ask a Pol. It’s SAFER Banking Act now. “I don’t know what that is,” Sullivan said. Caught our ear:“Yeah. I haven’t seen that one yet,” Sullivan told us of SAFER. Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — Ask a Pol’s End of Year BLOWOUT SALE! TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Dan SullivanSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo hops an elevator with Sen. Dan Sullivan after he leaves the Senate chamber and heads back to his office. Matt Laslo: “Are you still supportive of SAFER Banking? Or are you kinda watching?”Dan Sullivan: “SAFE Banking?”ML: “SAFE Banking but not SAFER?”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.DS: “I don’t know what that is.”ML: “That’s the new, that’s the new one.”Staffer: “Who’s the — who’s on top of it?”ML: “It’s the one that went through Banking [Housing and Urban Affairs] Committee, [Sen. Mike] Rounds and them.”DS: “Yeah, I haven’t seen that one yet.”ML: “Yeah. Preciate ya.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)LISTEN: Laslo & ShaheenAsk a Pol asks:What are your thoughts on the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana?Key Shaheen: “I have some concerns about it,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen exclusively told Ask a Pol. Shaheen on SAFERUndecided. Caught our ear:“I’m not a supporter of legalizing marijuana,” Shaheen told us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), slightly edited for clarity.ICYMI — don’t miss our end-of-year BLOWOUT SALE! TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Jeanne ShaheenSCENE: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s walking through the basement of the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches up with her as she rides an elevator up to the Senate chamber, along with Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Matt Laslo: “Ma’am, I was curious, what are your thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”Jeanne Shaheen: “I have some concerns about it.”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “Yeah?”JS: “I haven’t had the chance to see the details, but I’m not a supporter of legalizing marijuana.”ML: “Yeah. And you — your apprehension to — I guess, you haven’t seen it yet?”JS: “I haven’t.”ML: “But it looks like…”JS: “So I’m not gonna speak to details.”ML: “You’re wise, she’s wise.”Laslo laughs.Sen. Tammy Baldwin: “She is wise. She is wise…”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) LISTEN: Laslo & WickerAsk a Pol asks:Have you looked at the SAFER Banking Act?Key Wicker: “No,” Sen. Roger Wicker exclusively told Ask a Pol. “I'm not commenting on-the-record about the SAFER Banking Act.” Caught our ear: Have you been to the University of Mississippi cannabis test facilities?“I guess so,” Wicker told us. “I guess so.”Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Roger WickerSCENE: After voting on the Senate floor, Sen. Roger Wicker’s making his way back to his office via the Capitol’s underground tram system when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo proceeds to hop a ride with the veteran lawmaker. Matt Laslo: “Morning, senator. Do you have thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana? Wicker shakes head no. ML: “Have you looked at the SAFER Banking Act?”Roger Wicker: “No.”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “No?”RW: “Oh, the DEA?”ML: “Yeah.”“Mind if I?,” Laslo’s asking the senator if he can join him on the tram. The tram announces, “the doors are closing.”RW: “I'm not commenting on-the-record about the SAFER Banking Act.”ML: “About SAFER Banking?”RW: “Mm-hm”ML: “Let me ask you about clemency. What do you think about talking about clemency for past marijuana convictions?”Both laugh.RW: “I'm not commenting on that.”ML: “Yeah? Are you upset with the DEA for rescheduling or examining it? Cause University of Mississippi, you...”RW: “Well, the University of Mississippi has been doing marijuana research for over 50 years.“ML: “Oh yeah. And you’ve been there, to their test facilities?”RW: “I guess so. I guess so.”ML: “But you're still on the fence on SAFER Banking? He's not commenting.”RW: “I'm not commenting.”ML: “You're a wise man.”RW: “I would be glad to speak with you off the record.”ML: “Yeah. I can turn her off.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) — Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs CommitteeBonus listen!Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo spoke with Sen. Reed twice on marijuana policy. Scroll down to listen to both interviews and keep scrolling if you want to read the two Reed transcripts.LISTEN: Laslo & Reed IAsk a Pol asks (Interview I):Where are you on SAFER Banking Act — do you still want changes to that?Key Reed (Interview I):“I think we want it, but we don't want them to obstruct regulators in non-legal stuff,” Sen. Jack Reed exclusively told Ask a Pol.DEA rescheduling? What do you think about the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana?“You know, again, it's so prevalent — it's legal in my state's sales. “That the conflict between a Schedule I and commercial sales probably has to be corrected.”LISTEN: Laslo & Reed IIAsk a Pol asks (Interview II):Follo-up from last time we asked — are you supportive of the SAFER Banking Act?Key Reed (Interview II): “Well, we had a bipartisan amendment in committee which satisfied my concerns,” Reed told us. “The question is whether they’re gonna take it out.”ICYMI — Ask a Pol asks all 100 US senators about SAFER Below find two rough transcripts of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interviews with Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT I: Sen. Jack Reed (5-8-2024)SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo walks with Sen. Jack Reed through the basement of the US Capitol before they hop an elevator up to the Senate floor. Matt Laslo: “Do you have any thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”Jack Reed: “You mean, take it off the Controlled Substance List?”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.ML: “Well, they're looking at taking it from Schedule I to maybe II or III…”Jack Reed: “Yeah.” ML: “…so they can study it more and stuff.”JR: “You know, again, it's so prevalent — it's legal in my state, sales — that the conflict between a Schedule I and commercial sales probably has to be corrected.”ML: “Where are you on SAFER Banking? You still want changes to that?”JR: “I think we want it, but we don't want them to obstruct regulators in non-legal stuff.”ML: “Yeah. ‘Obstruct regulators in non-legal stuff.’”TRANSCRIPT II: Sen. Jack Reed (6-18-2024)SCENE: After Sen. Jack Reed voted on the Senate floor he runs into Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo who had a follow-up question on the SAFER Banking Act for him… Matt Laslo: “I asked you a couple weeks ago, but with SAFER Banking Act?”Jack Reed: “Yeah.”ML: “Are you totally won over or are you still — like, did they give you enough changes?” JR: “Well, we had a bipartisan amendment in committee which satisfied my concerns.”ML: “Yeah.” JR: “The question is whether they’re gonna take it out?”ML: “Yup.”JR: “And, you know, I don’t know if we’re gonna be doing any banking legislation over the next several weeks at all.”ML: “Yeah. That’s why I sensed some hesitancy and I was like, ‘I need to ask him a follow-up.’”Reed offers a Rhode Island half smile. ML: “Preciate ya. Have a good one.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) — Senate Banking Committee LISTEN: Laslo & HagertyAsk a Pol asks:Social policy’s en vogue again in today’s new right — where’d Republican’s libertarian leanings go?Key Hagerty:“I think at the core, the appreciation of liberty and freedom is still very prevalent in the Republican Party,” Hagerty told us. “Even, you take an issue like crypto technology. I've seen a tremendous movement toward us by people who, I think, are essentially libertarian — wanna be left alone by the government.” ICYMI — Don’t miss our sister site AskaPolcrypto.comHagerty’s libertarian leanings end at marijuana: Should a Trump administration roll back the DEA’s rescheduling of marijuana?“That, to me, is not a matter of liberty and freedom, as much as, as a parent, great concern about where it leads,” Sen. Bill Hagerty exclusively told Ask a Pol. “I certainly don't want to see this encouraged.”Caught our eye: In the Senate Banking Committee, Hagerty opposed the SAFER Banking Act.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Bill HagertySCENE: In the midst of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo was exploring what happened to the GOP’s libertarian leanings of, say, the Rand Paul era, when he ran into Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty in a busy hallway just off the convention floor. Matt Laslo: “The party used to have strong — you know, in the Rand Paul or Ron Paul era — strong libertarian leanings. I'm kind of curious if they're still there or — your take out of that?”Bill Hagerty: “Listen, I think at the core, the appreciation of liberty and freedom is still very prevalent in the Republican Party. You take an issue like crypto technology.” ML: “Yeah?” BH: “I've seen a tremendous movement toward us by people who I think are essentially libertarian and wanna be left alone by the government, and the last thing we want is the last thing they want is centralized control over their currency and their financial activities.”ML: “Yeah.” SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Broke at holidays? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.BH: “What they see from our platform — and you should check out our crypto, the legs of our crypto platform.” ML: “Yeah.” BH: “It’s the most libertarian, freedom-oriented posture that one could possibly take, and, I think, as I've had conversations with people in that industry, they say, ‘Look, this is a litmus test on the ballot’ and every libertarian should be supportive of this, and I’ve had tremendous positive feedback.”ML: “I used to discover music back in the day. I spent July 4th with my band family in Nashville...”BH: “Oh, great.” ML: “…and a lot of them are really into crypto. Not into politics — they want Washington out…”BH: “I've seen the same thing:. They're not into politics, but they want freedom here. And I think we have a lot of voters, you know, who have a lot of alignment with us, but they tend not to vote in primaries. But when it's your pocketbook at stake, I think we're gonna engage a lot more people in the crypto community, and the numbers are large...”ML: “Yeah, yeah.”BH: “…between 20 and 50 million.” ML: “Right?” BH: “And so I think it's a significant number of people, and a lot of them that have those libertarian leanings, they're gonna find their home right here.”ML: “And then when it comes to something like the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana, would you like to see Trump roll that back? Cause he's always been opposed to cannabis and drinking.”BH: “That, to me, is not a matter of liberty or freedom, as much as it is, as a parent, great concern about where it leads. This is far stronger than anything that people were doing back in the 60s. I certainly don't want to see this encouraged. And, you know, I don't, I didn't see anything in the platform that would make me feel otherwise.”ML: “Yeah? Preciate ya.” Hagerty and his aide signal they have somewhere they need to be in the arena. ML: “Good to see you, sir.”Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPoldrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

Who?Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — Senate Minority LeaderLISTEN: Laslo & McConnellAsk a Pol asks:Do you oppose SAFER Banking Act?McConnell:Silence.Play the Tape: “Unrelated nonsense, like easier financing for illegal drugs, was kept out,” McConnell quietly exclaimed from the Senate floor in 2022 when he blocked the then-SAFE Banking Act from being tacked onto the National Defense Authorization Act — or NDAA. ICYMI — McConnell quietly killed SAFER again this yearBelow find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Mitch McConnellSCENE: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his large entourage of security and aides are walking through the US Capitol when Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo tries to get McConnell to speak in the marble halls, which he rarely does, especially these days. Matt Laslo: “How you doing, sir?”McConnell makes eye contact with Laslo — who covered him for years for Kentucky Public Radio — but says nothing. ML: “You have any thoughts on the DEA moving to reschedule cannabis?”McConnell looks away from Laslo and says nothing. ML: “Are you opposed to SAFER Banking?”McConnell didn’t flinch or say a thing. ML: “Have a good one, sir.”Laslo smirked and then cracked up to himself… Andrey Beregovskiy contributed to this report. Content posted at AskaPolDrugs.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe

SCROLL DOWN to LISTEN for FREE! Who?Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)LISTEN: Laslo & WhitehouseAsk a Pol asks:What do you make of the DEA — Drug Enforcement Administration — moving to reschedule marijuana?Key Whitehouse: “I think that they're watching it be legalized in a lot of states which sort of runs counter to having it be seen by them as one of the most dangerous drugs,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse exclusively told Ask a Pol. ICYMI — Ask a Pol ask all 100 US senators about SAFER What’s going on with SAFER?“If I'm not mistaken, the reason we're kinda holding off on that is just cause Sen. Jack Reed is the senior member on Banking [Committee],” Whitehouse said. Caught our ear:“But I shouldn't have said that,” Whitehouse told us.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Sheldon WhitehouseSCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo catches Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse after he exits a tram under the Capitol before the two proceed to ride an elevator up to the Senate floor. Matt Laslo: “How are you, sir?”Sheldon Whitehouse: “Hey, how are you?”ML: “Livin the dream. What do you make of the DEA moving to reschedule marijuana?”SUBSCRIBER-ONLY CONTENT**Student? Lost your gig? Hard times? Been there. Got you. No questions asked. Just ping us.SW: “Not much. I think that they're watching it be legalized in a lot of states which sort of runs counter to having it be seen by them as one of the most dangerous drugs.”They enter an elevator. ML: “Yeah? But I know a lot of people in your party want clemency to be part of the debate. And I'm wondering if you guys lose leverage if the administration legalizes it on their own.”SW: “Got me.”ML: “Have you looked at SAFER? Do you know SAFER Banking Act?”SW: “Yep.”ML: “Are you supportive?”SW: “I haven't — I don't think I'm a co-sponsor.”ML: “Yeah?”SW: “But I think it would be helpful to have that.”ML: “Yeah?” SW: “I think, if I'm not mistaken, the reason we're kinda holding off on that is just cause Sen. Jack Reed’s now a senior member on Banking [Committee], but I shouldn't have said that. I actually don't know.”Laslo laughs.SW: “I don't….”ML: “But you’re supportive of the concept, just…?” SW: “Yeah.”ML: “Yep. Preciate ya, sir.”Andrey Beregovskiy and Walken Whalen contributed to this report.Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoldrugs.com/subscribe