Daines, who is also a lead sponsor for the SAFE Banking Act, stated that he opposes it. This would make it easier to access financial services such as small business loans and bank accounts for the cannabis industry. Montanans decided that they wanted it legalized in their state. I support the SAFE Banking Act because I believe it is the right thing to take, but I do not support federal legalization.Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, is promising to push for a broad federal legalization bill. Schumer needs to convince at least 10 Republicans, possibly more, before he can get the White House on board. Jon Tester, Jeanne Shaheen and others are unlikely to support the measure.The most likely lawmakers to support loosening federal regulations are those whose constituents have approved legal marijuana. However, Republican senators seem largely unmoved when it comes to marijuana. Some states, like Montana and South Dakota had marijuana that did better than their senators on the ballot.POLITICO spoke to a dozen GOP senators in recent days who represent recreational or medical cannabis markets. While none of them committed to voting to repeal the Controlled Substances Act on cannabis, Sens. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Kevin Cramer from North Dakota stated that they are open to discussions about ways to eliminate federal cannabis penalties. Others however said that they weren't open to any federal cannabis legislation.I believe they can do other drugs and things to alleviate people's suffering," said GOP Senator Richard Shelby from Alabama, where medical cannabis was legalized earlier in the year. Shelby said that he doesn't believe his position is in conflict of the will of Alabamans. You have to have a principle for yourself.At least one Republican senator represents three of the 18 states which have legalized full marijuana. More than 30 states have legalized medical marijuana. This includes conservative strongholds like Alabama and Oklahoma.In November, South Dakota voters approved a recreational legalization bill that is currently being held in court. It will be upheld by two additional Senate Republicans, including Minority Whip John Thune. It would make it possible for anyone over 21 to purchase marijuana in the state.The recreational sector is growing, while medical is still a major focus. Thune spoke out about the increase in legislation and ballot measures in red states across the country. This is an area that's still in flux and the views of our country on it are changing. I believe it's still a question to be answered how we handle it nationally.The Gardner effectMany within the industry believed that the 2020 red-state legalization wave would lead to greater support from the GOP for cannabis reform. Former Colorado Senator Cory Gardner is their No.1 case study.In 2014, Gardner was elected to Senate. This year also saw the launch of Colorado's recreational marijuana market. Gardner was a staunch opponent of the legalization ballot measure but he became one of Capitol Hill's most prominent advocates for cannabis policy. He introduced many bills to ease federal marijuana restrictions, and convinced the Trump Administration to not interfere with legal states.WASHINGTON DC - JANUARY 22, 2018: Senator Cory Gardner (R.CO) leaves Sen. Susan Collins' office following a meeting with a bipartisan team of senators on January 22, 2018, in Washington, DC. The bipartisan group continues to work towards a compromise in order to end the federal government shut down that entered its third day. Win McNamee/Getty ImagesMany supporters point to Gardner when arguing that Republicans who currently represent legal states will likely evolve on the issue. Gardner was not influenced by the political climate in Colorado that made him champion cannabis.Sal Pace, the former Democratic Speaker of the Colorado House explained that the state's cannabis industry plays a significant role in politics and that it is something that Colorado voters care about.Pace said it was a wise political decision by Corys. He now runs a non-profit focused on registering cannabis consumers to vote.Gardner's support for cannabis may have been motivated by the tight 2020 reelection race, something most legal-state Republicans will not face in 2022. Sens. Sens.Murkowski is the only senator who will be up for reelection in 2022 from a legal state. He stated in an interview that lifting federal penalties from cannabis could end up being the best way to remove many obstacles facing cannabis businesses.You can't judge the will of the public without your conscience. That's what senators do every day in many areas. Cramer, who is a representative of a state that legalizes medical marijuana, stated that this is a case that will most likely be tested. These decisions have been made by the state. Now the question is: How do we respond?Industries vs. votersSome of the restraint could be due to conflicting messages between industry and voters in legal countries.When you talk to my constituents, the primary focus of their interest in... are those two bills that I cosponsor," said Sullivan. He was referring to the SAFE Banking Act as well as legislation that would allow states the freedom to decide on cannabis policy without federal sanction.Jennifer Canfield is a member of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association's board. She says most Alaskans support federal legalization, but some people in the state industry would prefer legislation that doesn't open the door to a national cannabis market.Canfield said, "I think that a lot people are concerned about federal lawization where it involves transferring products from another state." My gut says that [Sullivan] is probably right that people who support the MORE Act, and general federal legalization, are likely to be in the minority [in Alaska's industry].Lobbyists and cannabis advocates say that their work in Congress has just begun.We want to continue our coverage of the marijuana industry's legislation and people. What has the federal legalization of marijuana had on your life? Send us your stories to our cannabis reporting team.The House has had the time to consider marijuana policy and debate marijuana policy. Maritza Perez, of the Drug Policy Alliance, who advocates legalization of all drugs, stated that they have been doing this for a few years. The Senate hasn't.Perez stated that DPA is waiting on Schumers bill before it launches a full-scale lobbying campaign in the Senate. However, they intend to target legal state Republicans as hard as moderate Democrats."[Do] Senator [Cory] Booker and [Ron] Wyden have enough sweeteners?," said David Culver. He is vice president of government relations at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth is one of Canada's largest cannabis companies, with plans to expand into the U.S. One of the biggest questions facing a lot Republicans in the Senate is: How far are they willing go?
